Midnight's Holiday Story

A Holiday Adventure
Chapter II

Written By: Midnight Shadows
Edited By: Baristu

Clover pushed the stroller containing both Star and Midnight down the cold streets of Canterlot. It was now late in the afternoon and the snow had started to fall even more fiercely than it had been before.

“You still didn’t have to go mess yourself.” Star said angrily.

“I Was Trying To Make You Feel Better!” Midnight yelled.

“Yes and now I have to sit next to a pony who badly needs a change, and worse off I have to share a blanket with you.” Star said as she pulled the blanket tighter around herself trying to get warm.

“Stop fighting you two, it’s no pony’s fault that Midnight had an accident.” Clover scolded.

“Sorry.” They both said in unison.

“Still didn’t have to mess yourself.” Star mumbled.

“What was that?” Clover asked.

“Nothing, nothing.” Star said.

A few more moments passed before the hotel came into view. The hotel itself was a large stone and wood building designed to fit directly in with the buildings around it. It was by far the largest building, almost resembling the palace. Then again it was called the Palace Hotel.

As Clover pushed the stroller through the door to the lobby the warm rush of air was a welcome feeling in contrast to the frigid cold they had just emerged from.

The stroller made a quiet drone as it rolled across the wooden floor to their hotel room. Clover used a magic key in the lock and the door opened. She pushed the stroller into the room and closed the door behind her.

“Alright, I’ll change you two, then baths, then dresses, then we will be off to the theater, sound good?” Clover asked.

“Baths!?” Both Star and Midnight said in unison.

“You don’t really want to go to a fancy theater smelling like that do you?” Clover said.

Both fillies took a moment to smell themselves, scrunching up their noses in the process.

“Ew! What is that smell?” Star asked.

“That would be the product of your accidents throughout the day, that and Midnight.” Clover said as she unstrapped Star from the stroller setting her on the floor. She then moved on to unstrapping Midnight.

“Thanks Midnight...” Star said as she sat down waiting for Clover to prepare her for her bath.

“It’s Not My Fault!” Midnight yelled, at this point she was on the verge of tears.

“Come on Star, you know that’s not fair to Midnight, she was only trying to make you feel better.” Clover said as she lifted both Midnight and Star up carrying them off to the bathroom.

The bathroom was small but luxurious. There was a double sink vanity made with a marble top and a mirror behind it. There was a toilet at the end of the room and a large tub opposite to the vanity. It had several magically controlled water jets. The walls were a beautiful gold finished wall paper with marble floor tiles that magically changed temperature to provide maximum comfort to the pony in the room.

Clover started the water for the bathtub and left the room quickly returning with a bottle of bubble bath soap. Midnight and Star stood watching Clover.

“Clover when are you going to change me?” Midnight asked, she was starting to get uncomfortable.

“I’ll clean you up in the bath then put you in a fresh diaper.” Clover said as she lifted Midnight and removed her diaper cleaning her a little bit before putting her in the tub. She did the same for Star.

“We have to share the bath?” Star said thinking how awkward this was.

“Yes, otherwise we won’t make it to the play on time.” Clover said as she started to scrub Midnight’s back.

Midnight stood enjoying her back being scrubbed. “That feels really good mommy!” Midnight exclaimed.

Clover moved to Midnight’s wings, at this point Midnight started to giggle.

“Some pony has ticklish wings.” Clover said as she continued to scrub Midnight’s wings.

“N-no I d-don’t!” Midnight said giggling.

“Its alright my little filly, I won’t tickle you.” Clover said as she moved on to Midnight’s mane and tail. Soon after she finished with Midnight and moved onto Star following the same pattern before she stopped and spoke. “Well, I’m going to let you two scrub the rest of your bodies down as it would be awkward if I did it. I’m going to go put my dress on and then come back in for you two, just yell for me when you are finished.” Clover said as she walked out of the room.

Midnight quickly cleaned herself and then started to play with the bubbles from the bubble bath while she waited for Clover to come back. Star on the other hoof wasn’t sure how to proceed.

“Why aren’t you cleaning yourself Star? Clover might get mad.” Midnight said as she continued to play with the bubbles.

“I, um, well, I’ve never had these parts before, I don’t know, um, how.” Star said.

“That’s silly, you’re a silly pony Star, its simple, just, do it like you would under your wings or something.” Midnight said as she lifted her hooves off of the bottom of the tub and started to float in the water.

“It’s just awkward.” Star said still just standing there with a desperate look on her face. Midnight noticed this look.

“No, NO, I’m not going to, no, just no.” She said before Star looked at her with the biggest eyes she could make.

“Not going to happen.” Midnight paused. “Oh fine, just...never speak of this to anypony.” She said.

“Even if I wanted to...” Star said turning herself so Midnight could help.

Midnight started the process of cleaning Star when Star turned her head to look at Midnight.

“Ah!! Whatever you just did, either felt really wrong or really good, but I think it was really wrong!” Star said, face red as it possibly could get.

Midnight started to talk... “All I did was start to clean your-” ...Before Star interrupted preventing Midnight from saying an unpleasant word.

“It Felt Wrong! Hooves Shouldn’t Go There!” Star said.

“Do you want to be clean or not?” Midnight asked.

“Well yes but-”

“Then suck it up and be a stallion! Oh wait, you can’t.” Midnight teased.

“Fine, just, finish.” Star said as she closed her eyes. Midnight returned to cleaning before she was interrupted again.

“Alright, you’re done.” Star said.

“Oh come on! I wasn’t even near anything that time!” Midnight yelled.

“No but I could feel your breath, To Close!” Star said.

“If we were back home right now you wouldn’t be having this much of a problem with this.” Midnight said.

“Yes well, this isn’t normal.” Star said.

“I’m finishing weather you like it or not.” Midnight said as she continued to clean Star.

“Fine.” Star pouted.

It was at this point that Clover returned to the room.

“What the hay! What are you two doing!” Clover yelled.

Midnight’s head appeared from behind Star. “This Isn’t What It Looks Like!” She said frantically.

“Then what is it? It certainly looked like you were feeling up poor Star.” Clover said.

“Well, you see, Clover, I um, I didn’t exactly know how to clean that part of me....so I asked Midnight and, well, you walked in at an awkward time.” Star explained.

“Well then...um, finish, I guess...” Clover said as she turned away. “Tell me when you’re finished.”

“Alright.” Midnight said as she finished cleaning Star. A few moments later they had hopped out of the tub and Clover was now helping them dry off.

“That was awkward.” Star said as Clover finished drying her off.

“I’ll say.” Midnight said as the two of them followed Clover out of the bathroom.

“Alright you two, time to get diapered and then I’ll help you put on your dresses.” Clover said as she lifted both of them up to the changing table. The quickly diapered both of them and lowered them back down to the floor.

Star started with Midnight first since her dress was easier to get into. Clover helped Midnight slip the dress over herself and fasten it up. She also put a ribbon in Midnight’s mane that matched the colors of the dress.

“There, don’t we look cute.” Clover said cooing at Midnight.

Midnight blushed and kicked shyly at the floor.

Clover then turned to Star who was already trying to get into her dress, and failing.

“No, that part goes up over your head, no, that part, just.” Clover said in frustration as she tried to help Star get into her dress. After several moments of anger, Clover finally managed to get Star into her dress.

“There, all done, do you want a ribbon to?” Clover asked as she pulled out a white ribbon. The ribbon matched Star’s coat and was a perfect contrast to her mane.

“I, um.” Star stopped to think for a moment, she blushed and quietly spoke. “Yes.”

Clover then proceeded to put the ribbon in Star’s mane before she lifted both Midnight and Star into the stroller and started out the door.

“We had better hurry if we want to see the play!” Clover said as she pushed the stroller through the hotel and out the door. The cold winter air nipped at their faces. Midnight and Star had a blanket with them in the stroller so it wasn’t too bad for them, Clover on the other hoof did not have this benefit.

“It’s cold out tonight.” Clover said as she pushed the stroller. The snow was now pelting them as they proceeded down the street.

“Mommy, it’s cold.” Midnight said shivering regardless that she was under a blanket.

“I know sweetie, I know.” Clover said as she continued to push. Star at this point had decided to just not talk and try to stay as warm as possible by snuggling up next to Midnight. Midnight noticed this and quickly wrapped her forelegs around Star trying to stay warm herself and share her warmth with Star.

“There it is, almost there.” Clover said as she pushed them to a large building. Clover pushed the stroller through the large wooden doors and into the warm theater.

“Much better.” Clover said as melted snow dripped off of her face.

“How are my little fillies holding up down there?” Clover asked.

“We’re good, just a-a-achoo bit cold.” Midnight said still shivering.

“Fine” Star said.

“Oh, I hope that’s not a cold.” Clover said as she pushed them to their seats. They arrived and Clover helped both of them out of the stroller. She folded up the stroller then sat down and brought both of them to her lap so they could see the stage over the crowd.

The candles lighting the room dimmed slightly lighting up the stage area.

“Mares and Gentlecolts! We are proud to bring you the annual Hearths Warming Eve play, this year the volunteers are the Elements of Harmony!” A mare said before walking off the stage. The curtains drew and the play began.

The play was now a good few minutes into it when Clover noticed Midnight sniffling.

“Blow your nose Midnight.” Clover said as she reached into her saddle bag giving Midnight a tissue.

Midnight blew her nose and Clover then disposed of the tissue. Midnight was fine for a few more moments before she started to sniffle again.

“Midnight, are you alright?” Star asked taking her attention away from the play.

“Y-yeah I’m just a b-bit c-c-cold.” Midnight said as she started to shiver.

Clover looked at Midnight. “Midnight, you look a bit pale. Are you sure you’re ok?” She asked.

“Y-yeah.” Midnight said as she sneezed. Clover brought her hoof up to Midnight’s head.

“Oh Midnight, you’re boiling up.” Clover said in a concerned voice. “Come on, why don’t we go back to the hotel.” Clover said as she unfolded the stroller and prepared to put both of her fillies into it.

“I’m f-fine M-mommy, really I am, I’m j-just a bit dizzy.” Midnight said as she watched the room spin around her before she fell over on the chair.

“Midnight, you are not ok, come on we have to go right now.” Clover said as she put Midnight in the stroller then Star and proceeded away from the play.

Clover made her way to the lobby of the theater before going over to the front desk.

“Is there a nurse’s station in this building?” Clover asked the pony at the desk. The pony pointed to a door on the other side of the lobby. Clover thanked the pony and proceeded to the nurses station.

****

“She has a fever and a cold.” The nurse said as she read a thermometer and looked over some medical charts. “She’ll be fine just a few days of bed rest and some cold medicine.” She said as she gave Clover a small bottle of foal safe medicine.

“So she’ll be fine?” Clover asked.

“Yes, just make sure you are constantly paying attention to her, and make sure you change her when she has an accident this time, if you wait it might get worse.” The nurse said.

“Ok I’ll do my best.” Clover said.

“And one more thing, if she gets any worse take her to a hospital.” The nurse said before seeing them off.

The two fillies were now in their stroller and Clover was taking them back to the hotel.

“Well, this didn’t end up being as fun as I thought it would.” Star said.

“Oh Midnight, I’m so sorry.” Clover said to herself as she pushed the stroller. Midnight looked like she was very ill. Her face was pale and she was barely able to keep herself awake.

They arrived at the hotel not a minute too soon as they made their way to their room.

“Ok Star, I think you should just go to bed while I look after Midnight.” Clover said as she didn’t even take time to unpack her saddle bag or fold up the stroller. She instead checked Midnight’s diaper and then put her in the crib.

Midnight had lost her bearings and was unable to tell where she was at this point. She snapped back to reality when she was put in the crib. She squinted at Midnight. “M-mommy? Where am I?” She asked.

“It’s alright Midnight, you’re fine, everything will be fine. Just lay down and try to go to sleep.” Clover said as she brought the blanket up over Midnight.

“I’m cold Mommy.” Midnight said as she shivered.

“I know sweetie I know, just rest now.” Clover said as she gently rubbed Midnight’s back.

Midnight slowly drifted off into a disoriented state before she drifted even further into a slumber. Clover put her hoof to Midnight’s forehead feeling that she still very much had a fever.

Clover walked over to her bed and sat down on the edge of it putting her head in her hooves. “Oh this is all my fault....” She said to herself. Star walked over to the bed and climbed up sitting down next to Clover.

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up like that, you couldn’t have known.” Star said.

“No you don’t understand, the potion, not only does it physically regress you, your immune system gets regressed with it, Midnight is very much fighting for her life right now.” Clover said as she mentally beat herself.

“You mean, Midnight might...” Star trailed off as tears started to well up in her eyes.

Clover looked over and saw Star was starting to cry. “Oh it’ll be ok Star, don’t cry, please don’t cry.” She said as she hugged Star tightly. ‘If she starts to cry I’ll start to cry...’ she thought.

“You really think she’ll be ok?” Star asked.

“I know she will, Midnight is strong.” Clover said as she looked over to the crib.

Midnight was shivering under her covers. She was cold but hot at the same time. Sweating, sniffling, everything.

“Clover, I have a question.” Star said.

hah

“Yes?” Clover said.

“Where am I going to sleep? I can’t sleep in the crib with Midnight or I’ll catch her sickness.” Star said.

“It’s not contagious, the doctor put a magic spell on her to prevent other ponies from getting it. You can still sleep in the crib.” Clover said.

“Oh, well in that case *yawn* I’m pretty tired, do you mind helping me?” Star asked.

Clover gave a weak smiled and lifted Star over to the crib.

“Just try not to bother Midnight ok?” Clover said.

“Alright, goodnight Clover.” Star said as she fell asleep.

“Goodnight Starshine.” Clover said as she watched Star drift off to sleep.

She walked over to her bed and sat watching the crib intently. She knew if she hadn’t shown Midnight this potion, this wouldn’t be happening right now, she’d be at home, she wouldn’t exactly be with family but at least she wouldn’t be ill.

Clover was now starting to doze off into her own sleep. She laid her head down with the intention of only laying down for ‘just a minute’ but she soon fell to sleep.

Midnight started to stir causing Star to wake up.

Star looked over and saw Midnight stirring in her sleep desperately trying to get comfortable.

Star stood up and gently walked over to Midnight and sat down next to her. She gently rubbed Midnight’s back with her hoof causing Midnight to stir less. She moaned in her sleep.

“M-mommy I-I d-don’t feel so g-good.”

“Midnight? It’s fine, everything is fine just relax.” Star said.

“W-what do you mean they aren’t coming back? They have to!” Midnight moaned.

“W-what? Midnight? Who’s not coming back?” Star asked.

“I’ll find them! I’ll look for the rest of my life if I have to!” Midnight said as she started to toss and turn in her sleep.

“Midnight, who? Who are you-” Star stopped when she felt a hoof on her back. She turned her head to see Clover, she had tears in her eyes.

“Its not true! It can’t be true! You’re lying!” Midnight yelled in her sleep, tears rolling down her face.

“Clover, what’s she talking about?” Star asked.

“I guess its time somepony told you.” Clover said as she lifted Star out of the crib and carried her over to the bed.

“Told me what?” Star asked as she got comfortable on the bed.

“Well, it all happened a long time ago when Midnight was very young. Midnight’s mother was my older sisters best friend, and over the years me and her mother became really close. I was only ten when it happened, Midnight was only three.” Clover paused collecting her thoughts.

“My sister and I were foal sitting Midnight while her older brother and parents went to a school talent show. Her brother was taking part in a magic performance as a stage assistant. The Unicorn performing the magic started her spell and, her brother and everypony in the first two rows of the auditorium were gone, including her parents. The spell was an accident, but it vaporized twelve ponies. We were told later that night by a school official. Midnight didn’t have any other family aside from that. Both sides of her parents families had either passed away or were unable to be contacted.” Clover paused remembering the painful memories.

“My sister was asked if she would look after Midnight, she said no...several of her mother’s friends were asked, none of them would do it. They were going to take Midnight to an orphanage, I just, I couldn’t let them do that so I offered to raise Midnight...What you just heard Midnight saying, that was the conversation I had with her the next day, I can vividly remember it.” Clover said as she stopped talking, she closed her eyes as tears fell from them, remembering the day.

“Midnight, something happened last night and, your family, isn’t coming back.” Clover said as she sat on a sofa with Midnight resting up against her.

“W-what do you mean they aren’t coming back? They have to.” Midnight said, she had now stood up and was looking at Clover, right in her eyes as if boring a hole deep into her trying to see if this was some kind of sick joke.

“There was an accident last night and-”

“I’ll find them! I’ll look for the rest of my life if I have to!” Midnight yelled as she took an aggressive stance.

“Midnight, there is nothing to find, they are gone, I’m sorry, I really am, I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better. I don’t know what to say!” Clover said, she now had tears in her eyes.

“It’s Not True! It Can’t Be True! You’re Lying!” Midnight yelled, tears rolling down her face.

“I’m sorry Midnight, there is nothing I can say to bring them back..I’m sorry.” Clover said.

“I Hate You! You Took My Family Away!” Midnight yelled as she stormed off to another room of the house.

“Midnight! Wait!” Clover yelled after her.

“She was never the same after that. There were three high level unicorns doing all they could to try to reverse the magic though none of them knew what the actual spell was the filly was trying to perform.” Clover said.

“I never knew.” Star paused and looked to Midnight who was still violently stirring. “She never told me.”

“She never told anypony.” Clover said.

Clover walked into her bedroom and looked over to see Midnight under her blankets on the small cot that had been set up for her to sleep in. Clover walked over to the cot and sat down on the end of it. She could hear Midnight crying.

Clover put her hoof around Midnight causing her to pop her head out from under the blanket. She had a picture, a picture she took with her every time she was away. It was a picture of her and her mother.

Clover looked at the picture. “I miss her too.”

Midnight just continued to cry. Her tears dripped down onto the picture.

“She wouldn’t want you to be sad.” Clover said as she put her hoof around Midnight pulling her close to her side.

“I, I don’t understand w-why she would j-just leave me.” Midnight said.

Clover looked down at Midnight. “Sometimes, things happen that nopony can control, its not exactly anypony’s fault. And there is just nothing anypony can do about it.You’ve been put in a grownup position that no filly should ever have to be put in.” Clover said.

“I-I can’t s-stop c-crying.” Midnight said.

“I know, I know.” Clover said as she pulled Midnight closer. Midnight started to cry even more intensely now, her tears flowing down onto Clover’s coat. “Midnight, look at me.” Clover said as she looked down at Midnight.

Midnight looked up at her.

“I won’t ever let anything bad happen to you ever again do you understand me?” Clover said.

Midnight looked at her for a moment and then nodded.

“You’ll be staying here with me if you want, is that ok with you?” She asked.

Midnight nodded again.

“I’m sorry I said I hated you.” Midnight said.

“I know sweetie I know.” Clover said as she brought Midnight into a hug.