Chapter I: Oh Foal Mine- 0 years
It is the nature of babies to be in bliss.
-Deepak Chopra
Princess Celestia smiled as she opened her eyes. She had a particularly fine sunrise planned for that morning to coincide with a visit from Twilight Sparkle and her friends. She rose slowly, enjoying the near dawn blueness that drifted in from her windows, then went about her morning routine.
When it was time she walked to the throne room. The sun peaked above the horizon in a brilliant flash of yellow and orange. Celestia concentrated on making the colors dance beautifully as they engulfed the waking Equestria.
The townsfolk citizens who were out gazed at the spectacular display. The sun grew brighter and brighter, suddenly seeming to explode and force the to look away. When the light dimmed somewhat, they turned back to see the sun only halfway up- and no longer moving.
Celestia whipped around quickly to see the source of the crying that had startled her. Entering the room was her sister, returning from the night's duties. In her mouth was a small bundle from which emanated the pitiful sounds.
The Princess's face turned to a look of concern while she quickly hefted the sun into position before approaching the blue mare.
"Luna, is that what I think it is?"
Luna nodded and set the bundle down, revealing a tiny foal wrapped haphazardly in the mare's purple cape. "We found him last night. He was near Froggy Bottom Bog. The hydra's tracks were around there too." She bent down and nuzzled the little colt. "Isn't he cute?"
Celestia sighed. "Luna, you can't keep him. You don't know anything about babies. Besides, I'm sure he has family looking for him."
Luna looked up at her sister with a begging frown. "May we at least take care of him until his family is found?"
Celestia looked down at the black foal, which was now sucking on a hind hoof, and couldn't help but smile. "Okay. But we must find his family quickly. Send the guards out immediately to search the bog and surrounding towns."
Luna nodded, smiling happily. "Thank you! This will be so fun!"
As she bent to pick up the foal again, he sneezed and his horn flashed, making a small lightning bolt zap Luna's hindquarters.
"Ow! Why you…" She stopped when the baby giggled.
"I think you may have your work cut out for you, sister." Celestia turned and strode out into the garden to await her guests.
Luna looked down at the baby. "You won't be any trouble, will you?"
The baby gurgled and, no longer seeing the bright, colorful countenance of Princess Celestia, started to tear up again.
"Ah! What now? Are you hungry? Let us go to the kitchens." She picked up the baby and trotted away to find milk.
Princess Celestia looked up from the reflecting pond when she heard the approach of the ponies.
"Princess! It's so good to see you again!" Twilight ran up to the Princess and bowed.
"It's wonderful to see you as well, Twilight Sparkle."
The others knelt behind Twilight and greeted the princess in kind.
"Hello, everyone. It's so nice of you to come to Canterlot on such short notice."
"Of course, Princess. Your letter said it was urgent." Twilight grinned widely.
"Yeah, and it's not like we were doing anything anyway."
"Spike!" Twilight glared at the dragon.
Celestia laughed and led the group into the inner garden. "I do suppose you are wondering why I asked you here today."
"Well, yeah. I had to get Derpy to cover weather for me today. It's probably going to rain from the ground up or something." Rainbow Dash shook her head back and forth think of that prospect.
"Don't worry, Rainbow Dash. I won't keep you long. The fact of the matter is I was hoping to ask a favor of you ponies."
"Well shucks, Princess, we'll help y'all out with anythin'."
"Thank you, Applejack. As you all know, Luna has been having a rather hard time adjusting from her… absence." They all nodded. "I was hoping to ask if you could take her to Ponyville with you and help her along. Ponyville seems to be an excellent place for that." The princess glanced at Twilight who blushed slightly.
"Of course, we would be honored to help Princess Luna." Rarity looked a little skeptical. "But would one day really be enough?"
Celestia shook her head. "No, Rarity. I would like Luna to go and live with you all in Ponyville. She can carry out her royal duties just as well from there."
Pinkie Pie nearly fell over in her surprise. "Really? Oh that would be so fun! I could throw her a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party, and a 'Hooray a Princess is living here' party and…" Her words faded into the background as she hopped around listing the fun things she could to.
"But, Princess Celestia, where would she live?" Twilight felt she already knew the answer.
"I was hoping you would let her live with you, Twilight."
"B-but Princess… Is a library really fit for royalty?" The purple pony looked shocked.
"The library will be a fine place for her."
While they continued talking Pinkie Pie, more so than usual, became increasingly distracted. Eventually Applejack turned to her.
"Fer heaven's sake, Pinkie Pie, what's a matter?"
"Twitcha, shake-a-twitch twitch." Pinkie looked around wildly before freezing and listening intently. The other ponies watched amusedly. Suddenly Pinkie jumped up and rocketed toward the door to the castle.
"Hey little guy!"
Luna jumped in fright, dropping the swaddled foal. "Wha? Where did you come from?" She inadvertently used her royal Canterlot voice, making the baby- now in Pinkie's hooves- cry.
"Shhh! You big meanie!" Pinkie smiled and skipped toward the group, who had come to see what was happening.
"W-wait! Come back here with him…" Luna trotted behind her anxiously.
Rainbow Dash was the first to reach them. "Whoa! Luna… what… You have a kid?" Her mouth hung open in shock.
Luna stopped short. "Uh…"
"Don't be silly. My sister found this poor colt alone last night. She wanted to care for him until we can find his family."
"Oh, that's so kind," Fluttershy whispered.
The ponies all gathered around to see the foal. His coat was night black with a small tuft of electric blue mane and tail. His bright yellow eyes moved from face to face as he once again sucked contentedly on his hoof and gurgled happily.
"Aw, isn't he just the cutest little thing." Rarity's voice drew a small blubber and laugh from the infant.
"So Luna, you ready to come live in Ponyville with us citizens?" Rainbow Dash grinned.
The blue pony looked up, confused. "What do you mean? We are not going to Ponyville."
The chatter died as everypony, except Pinkie who was focused on the baby, turned to Celestia.
"Oh. I hadn't asked her yet," Celestia looked a little embarrassed. "Luna, dear, would you consider moving to Ponyville with Twilight. I think it might help you get more acquainted with Equestria as it is now."
Luna paused and looked down, worried. "We know we are 'behind the times'…" She looked up at her sister. "Do you really think it would be best?"
Celestia smiled. "I do."
Luna nodded, looking back to the foal. "May we bring him with us? Ponyville is much closer to Froggy Bottom Bog. It will be easier to search from there."
Pinkie looked up at this as well. "Ohh… Please, please, please, pleeaase can he come live in Ponyville?"
Celestia sighed. "Twilight, do you think you could handle a baby in your home?"
"Oh, of course. I already have a baby dragon, and I help the Cakes with their foals too."
"At least I don't hafta wear diapers." Spike sulked. "And I'm not that babyish either."
"Of course you're not Spike, but you're still so cute." Rarity chuckled.
Spike smiled happily. "Yeah, I am aren't I…"
"Ok, then. It's settled. Luna, from now on you will live in Ponyville with Twilight and learn about modern Equestria. You may also keep care of this precious foal until his family is located."
Luna smiled warmly and hugged Celestia. "Oh, thank you sister. I will not disappoint this colt… Or you!" She grinned sheepishly.
"I know you won't. Now, why don't we all go have a nice lunch?"
"Ow!" Pinkie jumped in surprise, a small singed circle on her flank. "Zap, that hurt."
The little colt giggled and crawled away under the table. His playmates followed suit, laughing happily. The Cake twins looked back to see Pinkie tiptoeing closer and squealed.
"I got you!" Pinkie hopped forward, stopping just short of the babies, and made a face.
The foals stared at her blankly before ambling forward curiously. When they got close Pinkie sprang forward the last foot softly yelling, "Boo!"
They all fell back laughing. Zap looked out from under the table, wondering what he was missing. Seeing them all on their backs, ignoring him, he began sob then to cry.
Hearing his wailing the Cake twins quickly began crying as well, not sure what the danger was but not wanting to be left unattended.
"Oh, oh no. Please don't cry." Pinkie Pie scooped up the babies and rocked them back and forth, trying to quiet them. As she did she heard a loud, familiar voice at the door.
"Hello. Thanks for watching Zap for me, Pinkie Pie." Luna still spoke a little more loudly than was necessary, but was quickly grasping the updated lexicon.
Hearing her voice Zap stopped crying and gibbered loudly back, holding out his forelegs toward her.
"Aw, does he have to go?" Pinkie Pie walked the foals over to Luna.
"Yes, it is time for him to go to bed now." She leaned down to nuzzle the colt who cooed warmly. "Let's go, Lightning Zap." She placed him the stroller by the door and thanked Pinkie Pie again before walking back to the library.
"We are home!" Luna always announced her arrival, out of habit, in her royal voice.
"Hello Luna," Twilight looked up from the paper in front of her. "How's Zap? Is he playing nicely now?"
"Pinkie Pie said he was a delight." Luna put the foal in his crib and gave him a bottle of milk. "I must go attend my duties for the night."
Twilight nodded. "I'll make sure he goes to sleep." She watched Luna exit their home before turning to Zap. "Hello, Lightning Zap. Did you have fun with Pinkie today?"
The bared stared blankly at her over his bottle before flopping onto his side. When he was finished Twilight took him from the crib to burp him. When he burped a large book crashed to the floor, almost hitting Spike, who yelped in alarm.
"Geez. How long does it take for unicorns to control their magic? That kid's dangerous."
Twilight smiled and snuggled the colt. "Aw, you're not dangerous are you? No you're not. Don't worry, Spike, he'll be able to control it better in another couple months."
"Will he still be here? Haven't they found his family yet?"
Twilight shook her head as she tucked in the yawning infant. "We've been over this, Spike. Nopony is claiming him. They found his mother, but…" Twilight had to keep from heaving at the thought of half-eaten carcass left by the hydra. "Luna is the closest thing to a mother he has now, and since Princess Celestia wants her to live here, Lightning Zap stays too."
Spike sighed, "Yeah, I know."
Twilight smiled. "You're still my favorite."
Spike smiled gladly at her response and returned to his chores with Owlowiscious.