The Chronicles of the Moonchild

September 2, 1116 C.E.

Today was finally the day. The four year old purple alicorn colt woke up at around six in the morning, with the tasty aroma of salted hay coming downstairs from the kitchen being the very first thing the calm alicorn smelled as he sniffed. The Moonchild got out of bed, wrapped around his scarf as he looked outside. The sky was beginning to lighten up a tad bit as it was early dawn. The Moonchild then made his own bed as he likes his room to be as cleaned and organized as possible. He picked up some of his toys from the floor to the container he had in the corner of his bed, and he finally decided that it was time to go downstairs as the aroma made the Moonchild very hungry. As he went down, he noticed Ariel was laying down in the living room watching cartoons on the television. He simply waved at her, which she waved back at her little brother. He made it to the kitchen, as his mother was just about to serve her two children the food.

"Good morning Francis, dear." the mare gave him a kiss on the head. Then she put some of the grilled hay on the plate along with grilled asparagus, which was the Moonchild's favorite food yet.

"Morning mother," he was delighted to see the small, but long, green vegetables in his plate. "Is that grilled asparagus you have there?"

"It sure is dear," Mabel smiled at her son. "I know just how much you love asparagus, so to make your first day of school a more memorable day, I've decided to make some, all for you hun."

"I see," Moonchild looked at her with a small smile. "Thank you mother," his smile then went away. "Though I would love it if you could be near me as I do want to talk to you about what has been on my mind lately."

"Of course, Francis," the mother finished serving the two as Ariel trotted to the dining table as the mother put the two plates on the table. As the two began to eat, Mabel was watching them both as they were scarfing down the grilled hay, and the grilled asparagus. "Honey," the mare looked at the colt as he was showing signs that he was worried about something. "What is that matter, my beautiful colt?"

"I'm honestly a bit worried about what will happen when I arrive at the schoolhouse," the colt looked down at his food while nodding his head down. Ariel was paying a bit of attention as she was trying to help her brother out. "So many schoolponies will question me about my appearance or how I came to be. You have already known that from the many strangers that have asked about me ever since my day of birth."

"Francis, bro," Ariel interrupted the alicorn. "You're probably gonna be, like, very popular. I can't imagine how many friends you are for sure going to make the instant you walk on those doors."

"Popular?," Francis was thinking that what her sister said was just nonsense.

"Yes my dear," her mother actually agreed on her daughter. "You are quite different that everyone will actually find you quite interesting. Ariel's right dear. I wouldn't worry about this at all. In fact, it should make you quite more excited."

"I understand mother," Francis nodded his head back up and looked up to his mother. "But you know that I don't like to be social. I need my time to be alone. You already know that, do you not, mother?"

"I know that dear," Mabel just thought about something that would for sure put the shy, and introverted alicorn at ease. "Actually, I think your amazing friend, Kamaria is going in the exact same grade as you. I think she can help you whenever you need a hoof or two."

"Wait, is that so?" Mabel's instincts were right. Francis gave out a sigh of relief as he then proceeded with his words. "Isn't that quite some good news?"

"I think you are going to rock your first day of school Francis," the nine year old filly said as she was finishing up her food. "As long as your "marefriend" is around..." She began to laugh after cackling.

"Sister! We are not together!" The colt was blushing as he began to cover his face with both his hooves.

"Aww Francis," Mabel comforted his son by rubbing her hoof onto his back. "I think your sister was just playing around. Though let's try not to say those things, hun." She said to Ariel as she was giggling.

"My apologies Francis," she was still chuckling as she likes to tease her brother in hopes to get him out of his shell. "But you two are, like, literally inseparable. It's like you two are literally a thing, just saying." She went up to the Moonchild who was still blushing. She gave him a hug from behind. "Don't take things seriously Francis. You know I love you, you are the best thing to have ever happened to me. I don't mean to upset you, lil' cutie patootie. I just enjoy poking fun at you to get you to interact more."

"No no sister," Francis looked at his plate decorated with a bit of crumbs. Ariel was now standing in between him, and the mare. "I know you mean no harm. But I only see her as a friend. And I would much like to keep it that way for now. We are literally too young to think about romance and topics related to such thing."

"I'm glad you think like that Francis," Mabel stated to her son. "I think she is a great filly, and again, I think she will be there for you if you ever need her if anything happens at school."

"I shall keep that in mind, mother." Francis then went to the bathroom next to his sister so that she can comb his long mane for him.

************

As Ariel was starting to carry her bookbag on her back, the Moonchild decided to sit in the couch while his mother was doing some final touches after combing her mane so she can walk her son to school. Francis noticed his sister trotting her way to the door.

"See you Francis," Ariel gave him a wave before she opened the door. "Good luck, naughty boy." She was still trying to tease the now puzzled alicorn when she called him such thing. Regardless, the filly closed her door, and was now on her way to school. It was now Francis and Mabel in the home together. Francis, who was busy watching some cartoons in the television, laid his head down, waiting for his mother to finish up. As the mare was in the bathroom, the phone from the kitchen began to ring.

"Francis, dear," the mare yelled while the sink was on. "Please get that for me."

"On it mother," Francis galloped through the little hallway to the kitchen. He grabbed the phone and placed it next to his ear. "Hello there?"

"Hola (Hi), Francis," it sounded like it was his father. "It's me, your father. Where is your mother right now?"

"She seems to be doing something in the bathroom. Did you need anything father?" He turned his head to the bathroom door.

"Ahh don't worry about it, my campion (champion). I will call her later. But are you happy for your first day?"

"A little bit, father." The Moonchild gulped.

"Ah, good to know my son. Have a good day today, ok? Love you tesoro (treasure)."

"I love you too, father." He smiled as he hung up the phone. He decided to went back to the living room. Just right after he got comfortable, he heard his mother come out of the bathroom.

"I assume it was your father, dear?," the mare questioned the colt as he started to turn his head to look at his mother.

"It was," the Moonchild responded. "He will call you back soon, however."

"Ahh ok hun," she trotted near the front door. "Well, are you ready to go?"

"I guess so," the Moonchild got up and grabbed the tv remote to turn off the television. As he walked up to his mother, he saw some ponies walking outside through the front window. Moonchild was starting to get anxious. He laid his head next to the mare's side. "I am, a bit scared now mother."

"Aww Francis," his mother wrapped her front right leg onto his torso and hugged him. "Like me and Ariel told you, you'll be fine. I'm pretty sure Kamaria will be glad to help you if you need somepony to retreat to." She stopped hugging her son and opened the door. "After you, my love." The Moonchild stepped out of the house. The fresh smell of the air was calming the Moonchild down. As Mabel closed the door, she went up to Francis and grabbed his hoof. They both started to walk all the way to the schoolhouse. As they were walking up near the city hall, they saw some young ponies staring at the purple alicorn.

"Wow," one of the ponies was admiring the purple colt. "An alicorn."

"So cool!" Another pony said. "I've never seen one up close before. Hi!" That same pony was waving at him. All the other three ponies in the group were copying their friend and waved as well. Francis only waving back, with his head nodding down while continue to walk with his mother. As he noticed the four little ponies smiling at him, he simply looked away, wanting to thank them for their kind words but was obviously too shy to reply back.

"See honey, these ponies quite like you a lot," Mabel turned to look at her son. "I think you'll be just fine dear."

"I know that, mother," the alicorn pony looked down. I just choked was all."

"I see, hun," Mabel looked away. They both continued trotting as they were more than halfway to the school. They were both about to enter the lovely Sweet Apple Acres as they saw a bunch of apple trees ahead. A lot of schoolponies were galloping around playing together. They also saw some parents trotting with their children to the schoolhouse. It was a bit crowded, but it wasn't in the Moonchild's worries at the moment as two colts, who looked a few years older than the Moonchild himself, came up to the shy alicorn.

"Woah, what's up?," the earth pony colt greeted him. "You look very awesome. I've never seen somepony like you."

"T-thanks," the Moonchild nodded down as he was a bit shaky.

"Hey," the same colt looked at his mom. "Are you his mom? You are so lucky to have a rad looking alicorn for a son madam."

"Why thank you. So kind of you to say little one. Have fun, you two." The mare smiled as she glanced at the earth pony colt.

"You too madam. Bye alicorn, have a good day." The colt waved at the alicorn as he went back to playing with his friend. The mare and her son were back to trotting as they were entering the orchard. As they were walking, the shy alicorn kept noticing a lot of young ponies staring at him as they were admiring him. Some waved at him, but the Moonchild would just simply look away, if he wasn't fully shy, he would just wave with his hoof. His sister was right, he was just as timid as Fluttershy herself. The two kept trotting, and trotting, until they finally saw the building that was next to the playground. This was it, it was almost time for school to begin.

"I will go now my son," the mare kissed him. "I hope to see you at home soon. I love you, Francis."

"Bye, love you too."

As he walked up to the school, he noticed a lot of ponies galloping towards him. They wanted to try to befriend the alicorn himself. This gave Moonchild a very big shock as he felt his tiny heart beating a little faster than normal. Everypony was circling around the very anxious alicorn who was trying to calm down as he was taking deep breaths. They were getting closer and closer to him until a mare trotted to the circle.

"Everypony, let's calm down." The mare said as she was trying to get the students to get away from the scared colt who was flapping his wings out of fear. "Let's go inside as school is about to start." As the ponies were now going inside the building, the mare went up to the alicorn to try to calm him down. "Hey little one, you must feel quite scared everypony surrounded you like that. Don't like to be in the spotlight, don't you?"

"No," the colt was starting to catch his breath. "I do not like it one bit."

"Aww sweetie," the mare was comforting the scared alicorn. "Its ok now. I won't let that happen again. But you are so special. You are seriously one in a billion, youngling. What's your name?"

"I am, Francis, the Moonchild," the colt answered.

"Ahh how lucky I am. You are actually one of my students," the mare starred at the pony with a smile. "I'm Twinkle Star, but you can call me Miss Star. Would you like to go inside? I'll be next to you so don't worry about another interaction until you are ready."

"Alright," the colt was all calmed down. "I think, I am ready to go." Twinkle Star took the tiny alicorn inside and went to the teacher's classroom, where other ponies were sitting on the tables or playing with toys. Moonchild went to the corner where some students were reading. Francis saw somepony that looked familiar in that exact corner. He trotted up to the pony that was laying down with a filly who was just drawing on the notebook. But when he kept looking at the pony, he suddenly found out who that pony was. Could it be? "K-Kamaria?" The other pony turned around and immediately pounced onto the purple alicorn and hugged him.

"Francis! It is truly you!" The filly let go of the colt as she was assisting him in getting up.

"It is," the colt was now very content as his voice was a little more high pitched. "I am so happy you are here Kamaria. I did not want to be alone surrounded by unknown ponies. What a relief this truly is." He gave out a sigh of relief.

"Of course, I'm happy I can be here for you, Francis." The little filly gave him another hug as they both decided to sit down and were now reading the book together. The teacher noticed the once shy alicorn was now interacting with another pony.

"I see you have already made a new friend here, Francis," the teacher trotted up to them as they both looked up at the Miss Star.

"We were actually friends a while ago, Miss Star," Kamaria had her beautiful eyes locked in at the teacher's face.

"Aww! Is that so, little Kamaria?," the teacher gave a big smile. "I'm so glad you have made such an amazing friend, Francis." She gave Francis a pat on the head as the teacher heard the other ponies galloping to class. Some students came inside the classroom, going to the tables to sit with their friends. "Why don't you two go ahead and get seated? It looks like class is about to begin. As the two little ponies went to the table near the corner, they both sat next to each other so that Kamaria can make Francis feel a lot more comfortable during classes. As the ponies were getting settled down, the school bells began to rang as the teacher went to close the door so that she can teach the students in a more quiet environment. "Alright students, I hope you are all very excited for your first day of school ever." Some were cheering, some were shouting hoorays, and some were just simply smiling. Francis was hiding behind Kamaria as the noise didn't sound pleasing at all to him. "I'm so glad you are all happy. I'm just as ecstatic as you little ones all are. Well, as some of you know who I am, I am Miss Twinkle Star, but you ponies can just call me Miss Star. However, why don't we all go ahead and introduce ourselves so we can all get to know each other more as classmates. Even some of you ponies can become such wonderful friends together." Francis gulped just at the thought of everypony looking at him as everypony will now get to give an introduction about themselves, and whatnot.

"Kamaria," the shaky alicorn whispered to the filly. "I am very scared about this, introduction we must do."

"Do not worry Francis," the filly looked over at him. "I'll be here by your side. Just think about me if you feel uncomfortable."

"Alright, I shall try."

"So, who would like to introduce themselves first?" As the teacher asked, a white pony with a pink colored mane, who was next to Kamaria, stood up and raised her hoof. "Alright dear, why don't you go ahead and say your name, and perhaps something you like to do in your spare time."

"Alright Miss Star," said the eager, yet overconfident pony. "Well, my name is Lily River, and one thing I like to do in my spare time is to spend time playing some video games with my dad."

"Very fun, Lily," as the teacher was complimenting her, the students were looking towards the white filly though it didn't seem to bother her at all. "Alright, you, the spotted grey one, why don't you introduce yourself, young one?"

"Ok," the friend of the Moonchild decided to get up and smile at the teacher as she was ready. "I am Kamaria Nightlight. One thing I do enjoy doing is practicing archery with both my mother, and my father."

"Wow, a very fun, yet dangerous activity," the teacher was again complimenting her student while slightly chuckling from fear. "Next up, you, our wonderful alicorn." She was mentioning Francis of course. Francis froze. It felt as if his tiny heart froze for a quick second. "My, actually out of my thirty one years of teaching here. I've never actually ever taught an alicorn like you ever. You are such a beautiful pony, little one. Anyways, want to introduce yourself?"

"I-I assume if I must," Francis gulped before he looked at Kamaria, and then got up. "Greetings, everypony..." he was shaking, as he struggled to take a breath. "I, umm....." he felt as if all several billion souls in this planet were staring at him, he tried to think of his friend, but it seems like it wasn't working.

"Ahh honey, need to sit down? You can go ahead and do so," the teacher said as she knew the alicorn was the shyest pony in the classroom.

"I'm fine Miss," Francis finally took a deep breath. He felt a bit relieved. He noticed his friend was trying to comfort him as she was rubbing her hoof onto his front left leg. "Greetings everypony. I am, Francis Granada. But I was given a nickname, The Moonchild. It is something I wish to be referred to as. One thing I find joy in is stargazing, whether its by myself, with my family, or my friends."

"Wow, I think stargazing is really cool. Again, I'm so happy you get to be my student, Francis." Some students decided to clap their hooves as some liked him just for being one of the rarest equine species in all of Equestria. "Alright ponies, lets settle down, and go ahead with the next student."

************

It was time for recess as the ponies were outside having a bit of fun releasing their pent up energy. Most ponies were on the playground, some were in the swings, some out in the concrete drawing on them with chalk, and very few were just relaxing, while staying away from most of the ponies. Two of the few being Francis and Kamaria. The two were laying down in the grass reading a book about flowers from all over the world.

"Wow, I find the lotus to be such an august flower," the Moonchild was amazed at all these flowers Kamaria borrowed from the teacher's mini library.

"I think all these flowers we've found are all delightful, Francis," Kamaria looked over to Francis as she was looking at him in the eyes.

"I do agree with you, Kamaria," Francis smiled at him. "Though, I do admit, there is one pony far more delightful than these wonderful plants."

"Oh, umm, what would that be?," Kamaria is now curious.

"That would be no other pony except you." Francis blushed, he could see his friend showing him that she was flattered. "You are such a good friend, Kamaria."

"Aww, Francis, thank you so much," her small cheeks were now rose pink.

"No, thank you for being by my side, I much appreciate it," Francis decided to smile as he was truthfully grateful for all this little filly has done for him today.

"Of course," she held hooves with her friend. "Anything for my amazing friend." As they both stared at each other admiring one another, they both heard the whistle. It was signaling the preschoolers to get back inside. The two ponies got back up as they were both trotting up to the teacher while other ponies were galloping so that they would get in line first. Francis and Kamaria didn't care about being in the front of the line, just as long as they were together, it would suffice.

************

It was officially noon, meaning the ponies were out for the day. Most of the ponies walked out in groups, some hung out in the playground. Francis and Kamaria both walked out together as Francis just wanted to leave the school as he did not like to be around the other ponies at this time. They both were heading their way back to Ponyville. The two were holding hooves as they did not want to be separated.

"Hey Kamaria," Francis was looking at Kamaria. "Do you truly think we will actually learn something tomorrow? I did not like the idea of today being a day where we tried to make friends with some of the ponies."

"Neither did I, Francis," the filly was frowning a bit. "But we should learn something small tomorrow, or so I hope."

"Likewise, Kamaria," Francis started to remember something his mom told him yesterday. "Oh, hey, mother is going to make some hay tacos. Would you like to stop in the house to see if she can make you some?"

"Ooh, now that sounds delicious indeed, Francis," she smiled at the thought of such amazing food. "I would sure like to go and try some if she can make some."

"Alright," the two finally arrived at the city limits of Ponyville. "To my home we go, friend." The two young ponies were making their way to the south eastern side as they were near the town hall.

"Hey Francis?"

"Yes, my friend," the colt was looking at her while questioning.

"Thank you," she smiled at him. The colt now being a little more puzzled.

"For what, Kamaria?"

"For being an amazing friend, as usual." Kamaria was blushing. "I liked it when you complimented me during recess, I much appreciate it."

"Oh, it was nothing," Francis said. "Just being honest was all." The filly only giggled. The two ponies were almost home as they were entering the tiny neighborhood that the Moonchild and his family reside in. It took about two blocks to get home. As the two were stepping on the porch, Francis opened the door, and let his friend in. They saw the living room being empty while they could see some smoke coming out of the kitchen. It smelled quite nice as they could smell the grilled hay from the entrance. The two trotted up to the kitchen to see Mabel making food as usual.

"Ahh, hey Kamaria," Mabel smiled at her. "Didn't expect a surprise visit, but have a seat in the table."

"Hey, Mabel," the filly sat on one of the chairs. "Your son said you'd be making some tacos, and I'd like to see if you can perhaps make a taco or two for me if you can."

"Why, of course sweetie," the mother said in a charming voice. "I'll make you three if you'd like. Anything for you sweetheart."

"Thanks Mabel." The filly smiled as the colt sat next to her in the dining table. The mare grabbed some plates and then she put some tortillas on the plates and added some hay on top of them with some cilantro and onions. She then went back and forth twice to serve her son and his friend. She then grabbed two cups to give them some grape juice. As she grabbed the drink she also grabbed some pre-cut limes to give the two younglings. She was finally done serving them as she sat on the table to have a conversation about the first day of school with the two.

"So, how was school today, you two?," the mare looked at her son.

"I think the best answer to that is," the colt gulped. "It could have been a whole lot better. Of course, the only good thing about all of it was that Kamaria was with me the entire time."

"Aww, I'm glad I could have made it a lot better for you Francis," she smiled as she took her first bite of Mabel's tacos.

"I'm glad you could be there for him," the mother added. "Though, did the teacher teach you two anything?"

"We only learned about the alphabet and the numbers." The colt responded as he took a sip of his wine. "Soon, we will learn how to write each letter and number individually. But mostly it was us just trying to become friends with one another, which I didn't like, at all."

"I understand you are shy, my little Moonchild," her mother looked at him but she frowned slightly, "But you need to learn that sometimes when you shy away from everypony, you could come off as rude to them."

"I know that, Mabel, but..." as soon as Kamaria spoke, Mabel cut her off.

"I know sweetie, Francis is shy, and isn't quite social, yes I know." Mabel knows that her son means absolutely no harm especially when it comes to strangers. However, she was correct when she says that her son ignoring them and backing away looks quite disrespectful. "And Francis," the mare looked over at him now eating his taco. "Know that I understand you, you have always been my blessing since the day you came into my life. It was truly the happiest moment of my life. But you do need to make some friends. Now, I'm not saying make a lot of friends as you can. Not at all, my love. But a couple, or a few more would be enough. I know somepony other than the one that's right next to you eating my food would be very interested in getting to know you, because you stand out from other ponies. Remember those older colts we met near the town hall? They seemed to like you because you are, well, an alicorn."

"I... understand, mother," Francis looked down while eating his taco.

"Kamaria?," the mare asked the filly looking at her now.

"Yes, Mabel?," she was almost done eating her last taco.

"I know I shouldn't be making such demands as I am not your mother, but I do want you to help my alicorn make at least one good friend who you know has some interest in befriending our shy little colt here." She giggled as she found her son blushing. Kamaria, slightly chuckled.

"Alright, Mabel," she smiled at the mother. "I will do my best to help my friend out. You have my word!"

"Hmm, thank you so much sweetheart." The mare smiled as she got up and picked up the plates as the two were done eating.

"Of course, anything for the mother of my best friend." The filly wrapped her arm around the colt as he looked a bit down. It seemed like the colt was in a worried state. As soon as Kamaria noticed the colt, she looked directly at her. "Francis, why do you seem so upset?"

"I am not sure, other than the fact that I do not like what my mother wants me to do." Francis looked very anxious as Kamaria felt his arm shaky.

"I know," she tried to comfort him by scratching his shoulder. "Everything will be ok, Francis. Hey! Why don't we go watch some television with your mother." The two grabbed hooves and went to hang out in the living room. They sat down on the couch while the mother has the rocking chair to herself. Mabel was watching some sitcom show that was in the local channel. She did laugh a little at some of the jokes made during the show as it was about a group of colleagues. However during the show was airing, it seemed to have been interrupted by an upcoming news flash.

"NEWS FLASH!" The words were taking over the screen while the flag of Equestria was displaying in the background.

"We interrupt this program to bring you very important news for all across Equestria, and according to officials, potentially the entire world." A news lady was speaking. "There has been a sight of a black strange-like body to have been roaming across an alley near the downtown section of Canterlot. Authorities say that a lady was walking home after work when she saw a "shadow" moving in the alley when it dropped some liquid while moving, eventually, the body turned into a puddle and then proceeded to say that the puddle suddenly vanished. Investigators went to search the area for any evidence, but however, failed as there was absolutely nothing to investigate. Princess Luster Dawn, however, may know where this mysterious body could have come from, and how it found its way to the open Earth." The screen switched to a very worried Princess Luster Dawn.

"I'm sure we are all very worried, some confused, but rest assured I'm sure we will all be ok. How it came here in Equestria, that I don't have any information, and neither does Twilight, or any of the other princesses. Still, we please ask you to stay away from these creatures, and defend yourself if needed. Of course, we will keep everyone updated when we find more information on this creature. Stay safe, Equestria."

"Well, there you have it folks. Guess we were wrong after all. However, we will keep the viewers updated on this topic. Stay safe, Equestria." After the news reporter got done speaking, the news flash was over, and the show was back on.

"What was that all about, mother?," Francis looked at his mother while showing signs of confusion. His filly friend looked at her too.

"I have but no clue," replied his mother, also questioning what she just saw just then. "But we must do what we can if unfortunately the universe sends us these creatures. But I think we will be fine."

"I do hope we never see these things. It does look a bit scary." Kamaria frowned while looking at Francis.

"Me neither, dear." As the mother got done speaking, the two went back to watching the sitcom, trying to relax as they just watched some horrendous news.

************

As the Moonchild was getting ready for bed after such a mysterious, and anxious filled day, he thought about the amazing memories he had with his friend, Kamaria. As he smiled knowing the beautiful filly helped him relax when she could, he went to the window and stargazed again. It was a little cloudy, but he could see the stars all too well. He looked at the moon that was slightly lighting up the night sky, and he closed his eyes.

"Thank you universe," he spoke in his mind, trying to communicate with the universe. "Thank you, for sending me such a wonderful friend, who has understood me, respected my boundaries, and assisted me with all she could do." He then started to pray. "I beg you, universe, to keep me away from danger, and to protect me from these monsters I have witnessed. Thank you." As he opened his eyes, he stargazed a bit more, until he heard the voices again, this time, sending him more specific messages.

"Protect your mother at all costs."

"Love your mother. Never dishonor her."

Why were these voices saying strictly to watch over his mother? The Moonchild was trying to find out why. Maybe he felt like they were sending him the message as he wants to deny her request involving the alicorn to make new friends. He isn't aware, but whatever the reason they were telling him such things, he decided to go to sleep and to simply refresh as he seems very tired.