Nothing seemed to stop the blizzard. The strong pegasi, nor the powerful unicorns could stop the harsh winds and the heavy snow. It seemed Winter Wrap-up would be delayed for another week, if not more.
The wind came from the far North, past the Crystal Empire and into the unknown, and on this fateful evening stood a unicorn draped in heavy cloth and scarves. The mare walked several miles past the nearest civilization before coming to a cliff. But before she could continue, something in her saddlebag began to wiggle and cry.
She quickly pulled the cause of the cries into view, and upon pulling back a piece of fabric on the bundle, revealed a young unicorn foal in a swaddle. She tried to bounce the foal, sing, anything to get it to stop, but nothing worked.
"Please don't cry... please—" the cries got louder, causing the young mother to snap, "Shut up!" but as soon as she yelled, she realized what she did. Quickly, she held the foal against her chest, sobbing as she spoke again. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't cry, I'm here."
The near-dark environment was lit up by a red gem carved into the mare's chest, which also lit up the foal's face. The light pulsated, causing the mare to gulp and wipe the foal's tears away with her hoof.
"It's time." the mare said, finally snugging the young foal into a cushioned basket. Using her magic, she dangled the basket over the cliffside and let out a long sigh.
"No matter where you go... you will always be my son." the mare's tears fell from her cheeks, and as the harsh winds from her magic swept the basket away... she looked up at the winds carrying her precious cargo, "My sisters will take care of you now."
Vaquita Magpie: Prince of the Night
The guard walked into the throne room with urgency, staring up at the two royals who spoke softly to one another.
“My dear Celestia–”
“Solaris.” The Prince of the Sun growled silently, which caused Luna to snicker to herself. Solaris snapped his head over to her with a glare. After she had finally quieted down, Solaris looked back at the guard.
“I apologize my princess for my intrus–”
“What do you want?” Solaris didn’t bother to correct the guard at this point, merely focused on the issue at hand rather than the incompetent guard.
“Somepony left this young foal at the gates of the castle, your highness. What shall I do with him?” Luna looked with curious intent as the guard pulled the foal from the basket beside him. The wings of the foal outstretched as he yawned, but something else caught her eye.
“He’s an alicorn?” she mumbled under her breath before glancing over at Solaris, who met her eye. They both looked back at the guard holding the foal with caution and curiosity.
“Send him to Ponyville, at Small Hope’s Orphanage. We shall keep an eye on this young colt there.”
“Orphanage?” Luna whispered over to Solaris, who spoke no words to her.
“Yes, ma’am–” The guard said, which caused Solaris to roll his eyes and scoff.
“No!” Luna yelled as she stood, causing the whole room to fall into a shocked silence. “I mean– uh.” she gulped before standing tall, “I’ll take care of him.”
“What?” Solaris looked at her.
“Need I say it again, brother?” she didn’t bother looking at him, and immediately walked down to the guard. With her magic, she took the foal and the basket he was originally in.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Luna? I don’t think you know what this means.” Luna took no care, and walked back towards her throne. “Luna, to be a mother is a big responsibility, especially for those bound in Royalty.”
“I agree, my princess.” The guard said.
“Is it really that hard to say prince?” Solaris muttered to himself.
“I’m not sure you would make a great parent, considering your… past.” Luna stopped as she heard the guard’s words. Her eyes filled themselves with anger and a depression she couldn’t quite get past. Noticing his sister’s change in emotion, Solaris stood with hate in his eyes.
“May we ask for your opinion, we shall hear it. But do not speak up against your royals, young stallion. You disrespect my sister, you disrespect me. And I do not like to be disrespected, am I making myself clear?” The guard’s ears shot back as Solaris shouted at him for his incompetence towards his sister. “Now get out of my sight.” The guard left the room as quickly as he arrived.
Watching her brother slowly approach her, a smile creeped on her face. “How hard could it be, brother?” She looked up at him, “If our parents could balance our chaotic duo with their royal duties, perhaps I can too.”
“If you really want to talk about a chaotic duo, think of Discord and Sunset Shimmer." Solaris joked before clearing his throat, "Luna… this is a bigger responsibility… bigger than royal duties.” Solaris stated again, hoping his little sister saw how greatly this could affect her life.
“I know… but he needs me.” Luna looked down at the infant she carried in her hoof, watching as he yawned and stretched his hooves out. Luna lowered her head, his hooves pressing against her muzzle as she rubbed her nose against his.
“Ma.” The foal mumbled. She cleared her throat through her smile and raised her head up.
“Not quite, little one, you shall call me Luna: Princess of the Night.”
“Lulu..”
“Close enough.” She giggled, “Speaking of names, what shall we call you?”
“He looks like a cow…” Solaris mumbled, catching a quick glare from Luna.
“You know…” she looked down, “Maybe that’s not a bad idea…. How about Vaquita? Vaquita Magpie.”
“Vaquita? Okay… he’s your baby.” Solaris pretended as if he had a better idea, walking back to his throne after. Luna smirked at him, knowing he was merely playing.
—
Luna, as usual, slept partially during the day. It wasn’t uncommon to find her sleeping if you tried to speak to her during the daytime. But despite her wishes, it was unavoidable. The sun crept into her room, the bright light landing on her eyes, warming up her face. She groaned and opened her eyes.
“Solaris… you little...” She growled. Her pupils constricted and she winced. Using her magic, she pulled the curtain over the window, and finally her eyes could no longer strain themselves. She made a yawn before looking over at young Vaquita Magpie. Who.. wasn’t there. Luna let out a gasp, standing up as she searched through the pillows and blankets. “No.. no no no–! Magpie!?”
“Rawr!” Luna let out a scream before turning around. The young colt giggled, realizing he scared her. Luna smirked.
“Ohoho–! You wanna play, you little dork?” she chased him around the room, which caused him to let out a laughing scream. He ran under the bed, which made her stop running. She sighed, “Aw, that’s cheating!” She gasped as she tried to keep up with her breath, sitting down to further rest. Worried, the young colt peaked his head out. She only smirked before using her magic to grab him. “Gotcha! I win!”
“No fair! You can’t use magic!”
“And you can’t hide under beds. It’s a tie!” she called out, letting go of Magpie, causing him to plop onto a pillow. “Now let's go, we must see Solaris.”
“I thought we slept during the day?”
“We do. But, as we all know, Solaris doesn’t. Duty lies in his time frame... unfortunately.” she mumbled the last part with a snort. “Now, come forth little cow!”
“Luna~! I told you not to call me that.”
“Why? I think it’s a cute nickname! Disregarding that, it’s what your name translates to. Either way you’re stuck with it.” she laughed, leading the colt out of the room.
Luna wrapped the thin black ribbon around Magpie’s neck before making a small bow and letting the ends hang down. She giggled. “You look adorable!”
“Do I have to go? I thought you said I’d be homeschooled!”
“That was before I realized Solaris would need me more often.” It was something that surprised her. Usually her brother wouldn’t need her for a majority of his duties. But as Vaquita Magpie grew older, Solaris wished for his sister’s company more often.
“But it’s not even the beginning of the school-year! I’ll be behind!”
“I’m sure Miss Cheerilee will make an exception.”
“Ponyville’s so far away, Luna, don’t make me go!” Magpie whined, stepping closer to Luna, hoping his begging would change her mind.
“You’ll be staying with the best ponies there, little cow. Twilight’s a very nice alicorn.”
“From what you told me, she lives in a library.” Magpie huffed.
“So?”
“So she’ll force me to do stupid stuff there! Like—”
“Like what? Read? Organize books?" Luna took a sharp intake of air before releasing it, "Magpie please, just… I can’t keep you by my side all the time. These duties, they’re not for a young colt to listen to.”
“I can handle it!”
“You’re not ready!” she snapped, but seeing Magpie’s shocked expression she sighed, “Trust me, I know. You do not want that life, and I do not want it for you. Please, make it work, for me.”
“Okay…”
“Good, now let’s go.”
As the two walked through Ponyville, the ponies’ eyes fell onto them instantly. Getting worried, Vaquita Magpie walked closer to Luna. Noticing his fear, she lowered her wing to wrap around him. In front of them was the Ponyville Library, which happened to be a massive crystalized castle. Luna sighed and looked down at Magpie.
“You ready?” Magpie only shook his head. Luna smiled before leading him inside. She looked around, “Princess Twilight?”
A loud crash came from one of the rooms. As they quickly scrambled to her attention, Twilight was on the ground with multiple books fallen around her. Luna tried to hold in a laugh as she walked over to assist her upright.
“Haha, thank you, Princess Luna.” Twilight giggled.
“How did you get into that situation, if I may ask?”
“Well, I'm still getting used to these wings.”
“I suppose you need to stretch your wings more often then, Princess.” Luna teased.
Twilight noticed Magpie standing in the doorway, “Oh..! Is this Magpie? He’s a little handsome boy isn’t he?”
“Hah.. he’s–he’s a little nervous, so I’d be careful.”
“He really is a pure Alicorn?”
“I–I’m not sure. No one is.”
Magpie’s eyes darted across the two, “My mother’s an alicorn… why wouldn’t I be?”
Luna and Twilight gave a look to each other, and Luna cleared her throat, “Yes, of course.”
“You never—” Luna gave a stern look to Twilight, causing her to lower her head and remain silent.
“Alright, Solaris requested my appearance at sun-high, so I suppose I better get going. Magpie, be a good boy to Princess Twilight, I’ll see you Saturday.” Luna began making her way out of the room, but the sound of Magpie’s cries kept her still.
“W-what? Saturday? It’s Monday!”
“I’m aware of the day of the week, Magpie. I have already told you that you’d be staying with Twilight, what is there not to understand?”
“You never said I’d only see you for the weekends! Luna please, why do I have to do this?”
“Enough already!” Luna turned around, inhaling sharply before sighing. “I need you to make this work. My duties are far too great to care for you at the same time, that is why royal nannies exist.”
Magpie looked away, not bothering to answer.
“We’ll be fine, Princess Luna. You can count on me to keep him busy and safe!” Twilight smiled, causing Luna to give her a small smile as well before leaving the castle.
But Magpie was less than happy, even though Twilight was doing her best, the young colt wasn’t persuaded by her performance.
