//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty Four: Day Care // Story: The Redemption of King Sombra // by DrewCarriker6231993 //------------------------------// Chapter Twenty Four: Day Care Our Town A meeting was being held in the center of Our Town, which is slowly getting bigger. All the ponies of Our Town, the Mane Six, Eclipse, and Scorpan stood in front of a stage. Sir Stonehorn and Starlight Glimmer stood on the stage with King Sombra. "Starlight Glimmer has done well during the past few months reforming. With help from the Mane Six and friends, Starlight Glimmer has finally learned the true meaning of friendship." Sombra said to the crowd. The crowd applauded, and Sombra looked down at the mare. "Starlight Glimmer, you have worked hard to make up for your mistakes and you finally let go of your foolish beliefs. For that, I'll give you back your powers and your Cutie Mark." with that his eyes and horn glowed. Starlight's Cutie Mark came back and so did her powers. Starlight sighed happily, "Thank you, Sire.... thank you...." Sombra nodded, "And you are free to go." "Really?" "Yes...." "Would I be allowed to return if I wanted too?" "If you wish to be one of my servants, or if you want to pay a visit yes." Starlight smiled at the answer and looked over at Sir Stonehorn who smiled back at her. Once the meeting was done the ponies went back to their everyday things. The Mane Six, Eclipse, and Scorpan stood together talking. "Did you see that look Starlight gave to Stonehorn?" Pinkie Pie asked. Rainbow Dash chuckled, "Something tells me she's in love." "I don't blame her...." Eclipse said before realizing what she just said. She looked over to Scorpan and blushed. "Ooh, Eclipse and Scorpan!" Rainbow teased. "Eclipse and Scorpan! Eclipse and Scorpan! Eclipse and Scorpan! Eclipse and Scorpan!" she sung. Eclipse grunted and used her magic to throw her in the air, "WHOA!" She and Scorpan stared at each other happily. The moment was short-lived when Rainbow came back and tackled Eclipse. Then a cloud of dust surrounded the two. "Girls, there's no need to fight...." Fluttershy said approaching the two. Starlight trotted up to Twilight and the others happily saying, "I'm free! I'm changed, and I'm hoofloose and fancy-free!" She and Twilight hugged, "We're happy for you Starlight." Twilight said. "Now you have the burden off your shoulders, what do you plan to do?" Rarity asked. Starlight put a hoof to her chin, "I could hang out with you guys, but I also need a job." she looked over to Eclipse and Rainbow who were holding their front hooves wrestling. "What are they fighting about?" "Just personal stuff." Applejack answered. Twilight's horn glowed and she separated the two, "Let's have no more of that." she said. After the two calmed down Eclipse brushed herself off and straightened out her mane. "Eclipse is going to be opening up a Day Care in Ponyville soon. Just in case if you're interested Starlight." said Twilight. "That's not a bad idea. To tell you the truth, I've always loved children." replied Starlight. "You and me both, Starlight. Partners?" Eclipse asked extending her hoof. "Sure." Starlight shook hooves. Ponyville They all went to a building some workers were working on. "This is it?" Starlight asked. "It's going to be. They said it'll take a few more days to finish it. And we also need to think of a name for our Day Care." Eclipse replied. "Why don't you stay at our castle until then?" Twilight offered. "No kidding?" Starlight asked putting a hoof on her chest. "No kidding." Friendship Rainbow Kingdom Starlight looked around the castle, "What a beautiful place!" she yelled. Flash Sentry came in, "Welcome back, Twilight." he greeted trotting up to her. "Hi Flash." they both kissed. "You remember Starlight Glimmer?" Twilight asked. "Yes, nice to see you again." he said politely. "This is Flash Sentry, the Royal Guard and my boyfriend." Twilight introduced. "Nice to meet you." Starlight greeted. "Starlight is going to be staying with us until she can find a place to live." Twilight told Flash. "Where is she goin' to sleep?" Applejack asked. "Eclipse, you don't mind having a roommate do you?" Twilight asked. "No, not at all. I'll make a bed for her." Eclipse answered making her horn glow and her bed cloned itself. Eclipse showed Starlight to their room. Starlight jumped on her bed and laid down, "I feel like a princess." she said. "I take it you like our room?" Eclipse asked. "Oh, yes! It's so much better than the small, yet fancy, cell I stayed in back at Sombra's Castle. By the way, do you have a library?" "Yes, go outside the door, turn left and keep going and you'll see a sign on your right." Eclipse then yawns, "Nap time is calling my name...." Starlight chuckles, "Thanks Eclipse. Sweet dreams." she exits the room and Eclipse gets in her bed. She pulls up the covers, sets an alarm clock on her night table and slowly drifts off to sleep. Later that night.... Eclipse was on the roof of the castle looking out into the night. It was almost dawn and Everypony else was still asleep, the Alibot was standing guard at the entrance, and everything seemed quiet. Then she saw a stallion walking down the street. "What's he doing out this early?" she asked herself. Then something caught her eye: a pony dressed in a black cloak and hood. "You can't sleep either, huh?" the stallion asked. The hooded pony didn't answer, "Is something the matter?" "You are young...." the hooded pony said. "Yeah, I'm twenty two years old. Why?" then he saw the pony's eyes glow and her horn powering up. "What are you doing?" then there was a flash of light so bright that Eclipse had to cover her eyes. When the light faded, and she saw a colt in the stallion's place who looked very confused. "Come with me child, I'll be your mother...." "HEY!" Eclipse yelled swooping down. The hooded pony took the colt in her arm and they teleported. "Dang it!" Eclipse yelled, then she flew back into the castle. Eclipse barged into Twilight's room, "TWILIGHT!". Twilight woke up fast and spoke as she yawned, "What's the matter Eclipse?" "You'll never believe what I just saw!" All of the Mane Six, Starlight, Flash Sentry, Spike, and Eclipse gathered into the throne room and Eclipse explained what she had saw. "That stranger turned that stallion into a colt." "How could she do that?" Rainbow asked. "Did she have the Alicorn Amulet? Did you see what she looked like?" Spike asked. "I don't know how she did it, and I didn't see the stranger's face. But I heard her voice, so the stranger must be a female." Eclipse told them. "And it sounded like Starlight's voice. Do you have any relatives?" Eclipse asked her. "Well, I do have a grandmother who works as a nanny. My parents are back in my hometown last I checked. But I don't have any relatives that know that kind of magic. Not that I know of." Starlight told everypony. Angel Bunny ran into the room with a piece of black clothe in his mouth. "What do you have there?" Fluttershy asked as Angel handed her the clothe. Fluttershy looks at it and hands it to Twilight. "Hmmm.... it appears before or after she teleported she must have left a piece of her cloak behind." Twilight told everypony. Forrest came in with a yawn, "What are you all doing up?" he asked. "Somepony is causing trouble and she left behind this piece of clothe." Fluttershy told him. Forrest looked at the clothe and trotted over to Twilight. "Let me smell it...." he said. Twilight lowered her hoof and Forrest sniffed it. "What do you make of it?" Applejack asked. "This clothe has the scent of baby powder...." he sniffed it again, "Other ponies walked over it...." he sniffed again, "And it also tells me that this stranger doesn't live around here...." "That's awesome! Your senses I mean." Rainbow said patting the colt's back. "Can you tell where she lives?" Pinkie asked. "No, but if we all traveled together I might pick up the troublemaker's scent." "Wait, how can you tell she doesn't live around here?" Rainbow Dash. "Since he started livin' here he memorized every scent in Ponyville and always made sure of his surroundin's." Applejack explained. "That's right. It's always a good idea to memorize everything you see, hear, or smell so you'll know where you're at, who lives where, and everything." "That's very impressive, dear." Rarity complimented. Wild Forrest sniffed the air, "You sprayed strawberry perfume again." he said. "Yes, I did. Thank you for noticing." Suddenly Pinkie Pie's Pinkie Sense acted up. "It feels..... like somepony is casting a spell...." she said. "Where?!" Twilight asked and yelled. "It feels like..... Zecora's hut!" "We must get there and fast!" Twilight said as her horn glowed then they all teleported to the hut. Zecora's Hut A zebra child was in the arms of the hooded stranger, "There, there.... no need to be afraid. Mommy's got you...." she said. "STOP!" Twilight yelled barging in with the others. Then she saw Zecora as a filly, "Zecora...." Twilight whispered. "Goodness me, more children...." the hooded pony smiled. "You know, I love children very much. The more the merrier I say...." she said powering up her horn. Forrest fearlessly tackled the stranger, "Let her go!" the hood came off and Forrest saw her face briefly before she pulled it back over. "You naughty, naughty child. Didn't your parents teach you manners?" Forrest growled at her, "My parents passed away when I was three years old." he said with his eyes locked on her. "Oh, you poor sweet thing...." she walked over to the wild colt and was about to place a hoof on his head but he snapped at her like a dog. Applejack stood in front of Forrest to protect him, "Don't you lay a hoof on him!" "Are you his guardian?" the pony asked. "We all take care of him." Rainbow Dash replied standing next to Applejack. Rarity walked up to the stranger, "Who are you really? What do you want?" Rarity asked, trying to be polite. The pony chuckled, "You all may call me Mother Mare. And I care for children as if they were my own...." Eclipse stood up to her, "You changed that stallion into a colt! I saw you do it with my own eyes." "I was giving what any full grown pony would want: to be young again...." with that she zapped Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash while Eclipse was able to avoid it. "Rainbow Dash! Rarity! Applejack!" Twilight yelled in horror. In their places were three fillies. "Play time!" Rainbow yelled as the three ran around the room with the younger Zecora following them. Outraged, Eclipse made her mane magical and grabbed the pony by the collar and pulled her up close. "Change them back!" "It's to late, these children are mine...." Mother Mare snickered with glee. Then a dark shadow came into the room and took shape. Sombra then appears, "Change them back this instant!" he roared. "Ah, King Sombra I presume?" Eclipse wrapped her mane around Mother Mare like rope and made her look at Sombra. "Change them back or feel the wrath of darkness!" Sombra turned to Shadow Form and growled at her. Seemingly intimidated her horn powered up and then there was a flash of light. Sombra opened his eyes and saw that she escaped. "She got away!" Sombra turned to his normal self and slammed his hoof to the ground. Eclipse uncovered her eyes, looked at the others and gasped, "Sombra, look!" He looked and saw Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie turned into children as well. Spike was hanging on to the ceiling and didn't get hit and Starlight was unaffected. The kids started bouncing or rolling around and Pinkie Pie bounced on top of Sombra's back playfully. "We have to get them back to the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom." with that Starlight's, Eclipse's, and Sombra's horns glowed and they all teleported together. Friendship Rainbow Kingdom Eclipse laid down and let some of the kids climb over her while Starlight, Wild Forrest and Spike were playing tag with the others, "I'm gonna get you!" Starlight yelled playfully. Sombra was in the library searching every book. And he found a page and he read out loud. "'Only the one that turned ponies into children can undo the spell.' Shoot!" He turned and saw Twilight trying to pull a book from the bottom of a book pile. Sombra used his magic to stop the book from falling on her and stack them back up, "Phew...." then Twilight hugged his right arm. Sombra chuckled and wrapped his other arm around her. Sombra then used his magic to lift her in the air and put her on his back. "Whee!" Rainbow Dash was flying around the room laughing until she hit her head on a wall and fell. Eclipse caught her in time in her arm. "Careful Rainbow, or you'll hurt yourself." Eclipse said in baby talk. "Okay Eclipse." Rainbow hugged Eclipse. She chuckled, hugged her back and then sat her down. Sombra came into the room with Twilight on his back. "This is fun!" the Alicorn filly squealed. "Did you find the book?" Spike asked with Rarity hot on his tail. "Yes, but we can't undo the spell. You see this magic that Mother Mare used can only be undone by the latter. I'll head back to the castle and try to find the Mare. Until then these youngsters have to be kept an eye on. You think you can handle it, Starlight, Eclipse, and Spike?" "No complaints here, Sire!" Starlight replied. "This will be easy." Eclipse added, feeling confident. "I'm up for it!" yelled Spike. Sombra nodded and used his magic to lift Twilight off his back and sit her down, "Call for help or for their families and come to my castle later. I'm off. Good luck!" he turned into a shadow and left. "Sombra went Bye-bye!" Pinkie Pie yelled bouncing on Eclipse's back. "Starlight, I think it's time we put our Day Care skills to the test." "Ditto!" they shook hooves. All morning long they played with the children; they played dress up; played pretend; had a tea party; and they even invited the CMC who just came in. When Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash saw their sisters they ran up to them. Rarity nuzzled Sweetie Belle; Applejack hugged Apple Bloom; and Rainbow gave Scootaloo a noogie. "This is so cool!" Scootaloo yelled. "Rarity and I are like twins!" Sweetie Belle yelled next. "I'm still the big sister even though we're the same age right now." Rarity told her. "We're goin' to have so much fun!" Apple Bloom jumped up and down. Applejack looked back at Eclipse, "Is it okay if we hang out?" she asked showing cute eyes. Eclipse chuckled, "It's alright with me, but don't go wandering off outside of Ponyville." Apple Bloom then looked over to the zebra filly. Apple Bloom ran up to her, "Zecora?!" she smiled at Apple Bloom, "Yes, dear Apple Bloom. I'm a filly again. I'm about your age or maybe ten." the two hugged each other. "Would you like to hang out with us?" "Yes, I want to enjoy being a kid before becoming adult again. Just imagine these new memories we can gain." they laughed and left with the others and Forrest. Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and Pinkie Pie stayed behind. Twilight was reading a book on her throne with Spike sitting next to her. Flash Sentry was playing guard next to the throne. Pinkie Pie was bouncing around the room. Fluttershy played with Angel Bunny, Gummy, Obal, Tank, and Owlicious. "You having a good time Starlight?" Eclipse asked. "Oh, yes. Eclipse, I was also think it's about time we helped Sombra find this Mother Mare. So I called Shining Armor, Cadance, and Easter to pick them up." As soon as she said that they heard ALIBOT say, "STATE YOUR NAMES." "My name is Shining Armor." "My name is Cadance." "PROCEED." Shining Armor and Cadance walked in and went to the throne room. As soon as Twilight saw Shining she dropped her book and bounced over to him. "Big Brother Best Friend! Big Brother Best Friend!" she jumped and wrapped her arms and legs around Shining's neck. "My goodness!" Cadance said in a bewildered tone of voice, "This sure brings back memories." "Hey Twily, how's my favorite sister?" Shining asked hugging his sister back. "I'm doing great. I'm a filly again!" she said as she let go and bounced around the two. Twilight's boyfriend trotted up to them. "Hi Shiny! Hi Cadance!" "Flash Sentry?" Shining asked. "Yep, that's me!" "Oh, he's so cute!" Cadance said as she wrapped an arm around him, "Like a little Royal Guard." she said talking baby talk before kissing his head. Twilight put a hoof to her mouth, jumped up and down and giggled. "Cadance kissed Flash Sentry!" "It's no different than kissing our son, or your big brother." Cadance playfully said to her before kissing Shining, making him blush. "Prince Shining Armor...." Eclipse began but Shining said, "You can call me Shining." "Okay then, Shining, Starlight and I have to go help Sombra find the one responsible for turning Twilight and the others into children. If it's no problem to you, can you and your wife watch over them until Easter comes over and picks up Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie?" "Of course we can! I would love to foalsit again." Cadance answered happily. Eclipse smiled, "Thank you. We must be on our way." Eclipse began to use her magic when she heard Fluttershy crying. She rushed over to Fluttershy who had both front hooves on her back knee and hugged her, "Oh, did Fluttershy get a boo-boo?" Eclipse asked trying to comfort her. Shining Armor and Cadance watched in amazement. Shining Armor whispered to his wife, "Not only she's turned herself around, she is also great with kids." "I know. Isn't it wonderful?" Cadance whispered back. "Eclipse and I are going to be running a Day Care soon. Have you heard about it?" Starlight asked the two who nodded a yes. They watched as Eclipse put a band-aid on Fluttershy's knee and kissing her head, "You'll be fine. Starlight and I have to head out. Shining Armor and Cadance will be here if you need them, okay?" "Okay...." Fluttershy whispered before hugging Eclipse. Sombra's Castle Sombra was going through his Crystal Ball searching every place in Equestria. A guard came in, "Sire, Eclipse and Starlight Glimmer are here." "Send them in." Eclipse and Starlight, with a saddlebag, came into Sombra's room. "Any luck?" Starlight asked. "No.... if only we had something that Mother Mare left behind...." Starlight gasped and she used her magic to take out the clothe. She presented it to Sombra who took it with his magic. "That stranger left this behind. Wild Forrest smelled it and confirmed that the stranger is not from Ponyville." Starlight explained. "That's a start...." Sombra said before taking the clothe to the Crystal Ball. He sat the clothe on the ball, which absorbed it, and then what appeared to be a schoolhouse similar to the schoolhouse only blue and bigger, and was in the middle of a meadow with swings, seesaws, slides, a sandbox, and many children playing. Then a mare, who's appearance resembled Starlight's greatly, came out of the building with a bell. "Alright children, snack time!" she called as the children ran back in excited. "She looks just like you Starlight...." Eclipse said. "Only not as beautiful." Starlight added. "She has to be Mother Mare...." Sombra said. "I would also like to introduce our newest members of our happy family: "Zecora, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Wild Forrest, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash." the mare told the children. "She kidnapped them too! We must leave immediately!" Sombra was about to turn into a shadow but Eclipse stopped him. "Hold on a minute! She knows us, so I suggest we should try sneaking in and wait for the right moment." Sombra powered down and scratched his chin for a moment. Then he came up with an idea. "I know just the way...." he said with a sly grin. Then Sombra turned into a shadow and shrunk until he was the size of a colt. He stepped out of the shadow and showed his disguise: a grey unicorn colt with a black mane and tail; green eyes; and a straight normal horn; and no Cutie Mark, armor, or cape. Even his voice changed, "We'll disguise ourselves as children. And we'll change our names. I'll call myself Umbra." "That's a great idea!" Eclipse said before wrapping herself and Starlight in her magic mane. The mane lifted and they too have changed. Eclipse was now a black Alicorn filly with a light blue mane and tail, water blue eyes, and her Cutie Mark wasn't there either. Starlight remained the same except she was younger and her cutie mark wasn't visible. Even their voices changed, "I'll call myself Ebony, what will you call yourself?" "I'll call myself Twinkle Star. As in Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." "The names are very appropriate. Now, we must leave. And we'll need to proceed with great care once we get there, understand?" "Yes Sombra." Eclipse answered. "Yes Umbra. Er.... I mean Sombra. Yes Sombra!" Starlight answered next. "Good!" with that they all vanished from the room. The Building They appeared in the playground. "We have to act like children." Sombra reminded them, "Follow my lead." he ordered then they went to the door and Sombra knocked. Mother Mare opened up, "Oh, hello there! Where did you come from?" she asked caringly. "My name is Umbra, and they are my sisters. Ebony and Twinkle Star. We lost our parents and nopony wants us...." tears filled his eyes. The other two looked sad too. "Oh, you poor things. Please do come in, I'll be your mother." she turned around as Sombra wiped the tears from his eyes. "Good acting." Eclipse whispered. "Sisters?" Starlight asked. "I had to come up with something so we can go in undetected." They all walked in and they all looked around and saw that the place had many things children could love; from toys to books, games and art supplies. It was like a really big Day Care. The colorful walls were filled with drawings made by kids, and the carpet was checkered rainbow. "You're just in time for snack time. Follow me dears." They came into the cafeteria which was just as colorful. The snacks they were having were trail mix and apple juice. The kids sat in their own groups of circles and talked about random things. Mother Mare handed the trio their snacks, "Here's your snacks. You may join whoever you want to join, and don't worry they are all friendly." "Thank you so much!" Umbra said. "You're welcome honey." she hugged the trio and then left the cafeteria. They searched the room and found the CMC, Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Wild Forrest, Zecora, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack sitting together. "I still blame all of you for getting us into this mess, but I got to admit it's fun here." Diamond Tiara said. "Yeah, there's also no rules here." Silver Spoon added. "It is fun here, but children can't be locked up against our will; children should be free." Wild Forrest said. "Not to mention the one in charge here is you know who." Scootaloo added. The trio sat close to them. "Hello Apple Bloom." Umbra greeted. "Howdy! Have we met?" Umbra's face turned into Sombra's face and spoke in his voice surprising all except Forrest. "It's me, Sombra. Eclipse and Starlight Glimmer too." then his face turned back into Umbra's face. "I thought I picked up your scents." Forrest said. "We are here to help." Ebony told them using her normal voice. "Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, I know how you feel about them, but like it or not we all have to work together to get out of this." Silver and Diamond walked away for a second and talked about it. They came back. "We'll help, but just this once." Diamond said. "Then it's back to our old ways." Silver added. "Good enough for me." Apple Bloom said before looking at Umbra, "Do yal have a plan?" "Yes, come here and listen closely." they huddled together and whispered. Diamond smirked, "I like it!" "It's crazy. Crazy enough it might just work." Silver added. "Why do we have to wait till dark?" Scootaloo asked. "Mother Mare will least expect it and it'll give us an advantage." Forrest explained. "Very good Wild Forrest. We'll all have to wait until everypony is asleep and then we all must get to our places." Umbra told them. "Why don't you use your magic?" Sweetie Belle suggested. "She already knows us but now she knows us as Umbra, Ebony, and Twinkle Star." "Oh, I get it! It's part of the strategy and that will make her vulnerable." Sweetie realized. "Precisely. This will be quite a party." Twinkle Star said with a smirk, "And I love parties by the way." After all day of playing, reading, puppet shows, and many other activities it was time for bed. Each child had their own beds in a big room. Mother Mare sat in a rocking chair humming a lullaby that made everypony, except for Umbra and Eclipse, drowsy. Eclipse and Sombra pretended to be asleep and waited until Mother Mare left. A few hours later Umbra and Ebony got out of bed and got the CMC, Wild Forrest, Twinkle Star, Zecora, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack up. "Time to put the plan into affect. You all remember what you're supposed to do?" Umbra asked the group. They all nodded. "Let's do this." they put their hooves together. Mother Mare was in her own room rocking on a rocking chair in front of a fireplace reading a book. Apple Bloom came in carrying a small blanket on her back looking tired. "Mother...." she said. Mother Mare turned around, "Yes dear?" "I.... I had a bad dream and..... I'm afraid to go back to sleep...." Mother Mare got up from her seat, "Awe, come here little one." together they went to the couch. Mother wrapped an arm around her, "It'll be alright..." Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came in, "Are you alright Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo asked. "We woke up and saw you weren't in bed so we came looking for you." Sweetie Belle said winking an eye. Umbra nodded and hid. "Your friend had a bad dream." Mother told them motioning them to sit down with her and Apple Bloom. "How about I read you a story?" "We would like that." Apple Bloom replied. Umbra, as a shadow, looked and saw a glowing green crystal floating above what looked like a black spike. The Crystal of Youth! How in the world did she get her hooves on that? If I destroy that Crystal, Mother Mare will lose her powers and everypony will be turned back to normal. Umbra thought to himself before leaving. Umbra went to the playground and found the others waiting. "I just found out the source of Mother Mare's power." "What is it?" Applejack asked. "It's called the Crystal of Youth. It's an extremely rare Crystal and gives the latter eternal youth and the power to turn others into children. And as long as she turns others into children she'll remain young. It's an illegal magic." "Are you saying that Mother Mare might be an old mare?" Rainbow asked. "Yes, she might be...." "And she's using that magic to keep herself young and make others younger? That sounds selfish." said Rarity. "If we could destroy the Crystal she and those she turned into children will be turned back to normal. I must tell Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo about this." Sombra's horn glowed and he talked to them with his mind, "This is Sombra. I'm using my magic to tell you through our thoughts. There is a green magic crystal in the room you are in. The others will try to distract Mother Mare and until I get into the room stay put." the CMC nodded while Mother Mare was not looking and was reading them stories. Umbra nods and the others went to their places. Forrest got on top of the roof and howled like a wolf. Mother Mare stood up, "What on earth?" "What is it Mother?" Scootaloo asked acting afraid. "Stay here, I'll go check it out." Mother Mare told them before leaving the room. Zecora looked through the window and nodded at Diamond and Silver, who had both sides of a rope in their mouths in front of a door, pulled both sides. Mother Mare walked out and tripped over the rope and falling on her face, "Whoa! Oof!" Silver and Diamond bursted out laughing before running off. "Hey you little pranksters, get back here!" Mother yelled playfully before chasing after them. Sombra, Eclipse, and Starlight Glimmer as shadows snuck back into the building and went to Mother Mare's room. He turned himself and the other two back to their normal selves and approached the CMC concerned, "Are you alright?" Sombra asked. "Yes, we're fine." Sweetie Belle replied. "I know she might be a criminal and all, but I have to admit she is a really good mother. Not to mention foalsitter." Scootaloo said. "Maybe she could get a job at the new Day Care when this is over." Apple Bloom added. "That sounds like a good idea, but we'll have to see." the King replied. Sombra and the CMC approached the Crystal of Youth. "It's so pretty...." Sweetie Belle said her eyes sparkling at the sight of the crystal, "Rarity would love to see this." they looked outside and saw Mother Mare, who caught the bullies, Zecora, Wild Forrest, and the three of the Mane Six before starting back to the door. Sombra's and Eclipse's horns and eyes glowed. Together they lifted the crystal. Mother Mare has just put three of the Mane Six, Zecora, and the bullies back to bed when she felt something coming from her room with her horn and went to check it out. "One blow and this crystal should shatter." Eclipse said. "Stop this at once!" Mother Mare barged in with anger in her eyes. "Your eternal youth plans ends now!" Starlight Glimmer yelled back at her. Mother's eyes opened wide at the sight of Starlight. The two looked at each other for a moment looking surprised. "Grammama...." Starlight whispered, "Why are you doing this?!" Starlight demanded. Mother Mare chuckled, "Wouldn't you like to know, my dear?" Mother asked. Then she notices the crystal beginning to crack, "NO!" she teleported towards it, but it was too late. The Crystal shattered into shards. White orbs began leaving Mother Mare's body, "NOOOO! MY BEAUTY! MY YOUTH! NOOOOOOOOO!" she yelled in dismay as she began aging. The noise woke everypony up as the orbs entered and went to their owners. One by one and few by few, they turned back into adults or teenagers. "I'm me!" one of them yelled. "We're back to normal!" another yelled. "Yeee-haw!" Applejack yelled as Wild Forrest hugged her. "I'm a lady again!" Rarity yelled. "That was awesome!" Rainbow yelled before flying around in full speed. "This was an interesting experience, I must say. Being a child and an adult in one day." Zecora said. They all cheered. Twilight Sparkle was sitting on Shining Armor's back and Cadance was holding Flash Sentry in her arm back at the Crystal Empire when two orbs went to them. Twilight and Flash were now back to their normal selves. Cadance lost her balance while holding Flash Sentry. "Sorry your highness." Flash said helping her stand up. Twilight got off her brother's back, "We're back!" she hugged her brother. At Fluttershy's Cottage Easter was laying on the sofa with Fluttershy and Pinkie laying against his side all asleep. Two orbs came in and turned the two back to normal. Pinkie Pie jumped off the couch and bounced up and down, "We're back! We're back! Weeeee're back!" Easter woke up. He and Fluttershy looked at one another and blushed. Gummy and Angel Bunny hugged their owners and they hugged them back. Mother Mare, now an elderly mare, collapsed on her knees crying. Starlight ran over to her and hugged her, "Grammama...." The CMC looked surprised, "Grammama?!" "Yes, it's true. I'm an old lady...." she told them before her granddaughter let go. Sombra approached her, "Why did you do what you did?" he asked. The mare refused to look up at him. Sombra turned himself back to Umbra and asked again, "Why did you do what you did?" She looked at him and answered with tears in her eyes, "I just wanted what any old lady would want: to be young and beautiful again and to be surrounded by children. And when I found that Crystal of Youth in the mountains I immediately knew what it was and I couldn't resist what it had to offer. That evil crystal blinded me to the truth, and for destroying it I am grateful. The truth is you have to find it in you to be young again, enjoy life, be a child at heart, have fun, make friends young and old, and do many things positive and love others around you while you have the time. Can you all forgive an old mare for what she did?" Sombra turned back to normal and the stallion from last night came in, "Of course we can. You were possessed by that crystal so it wasn't your fault." A mare about his age came in next, "Many of us forgot what is was like to be a kid. We are grateful because we now remember. And we are also grateful for you turning us back into ourselves your Majesty, Eclipse, Starlight Glimmer, and you children. Thank you." Mother Mare approached the crowd, "And thank you for everything. You are all free to go return to your families and friends. I'm sure they miss you. Feel free to come by anytime you like and you may bring your children." Before they left some of the stallions and mares hugged Mother Mare before they left. Many of them promised to come again with their children. The stallion from last night spoke with the mare about his age, "Would you like to go out?" he asked. She smiled, "I would love too." they left together. Not only Mother Mare helped the victims make new friends she also helped some find love. Apple Bloom and Applejack nuzzled, Rarity and Sweetie Belle hugged, Rainbow wrapped her wings around Scootaloo and nuzzled. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon stayed with Eclipse as they left with the crowd. Starlight stayed behind with her grandmother. Sombra left with the crowd to make sure they make it home safely. Sombra and Eclipse escorted them all home, but their last stop was Filthy Rich's house. Eclipse knocked on the door and Filthy opened it. Diamond dashed in a wrapped her arms around her dad. Her mother came crying and hugged her daughter too, "Oh my baby!" Silver's parents came out too and embraced her, "Oh, my little girl!" her mother cried. Sombra explained to the parents what has happened. "She won't be abducting children or changing adults into children anymore." Eclipse assured here. "How can we ever repay you?" Filthy asked. "No need." Sombra took out a scroll. "Here is a map to the Day Care your daughter was staying at, just in case in you are interested." "It's really fun there dad." Diamond told her. "Yeah. Mother Mare, at least that's what she calls herself, is really good with children." Silver added. "I'll think about it. And you are sure that she lost her powers and she's reformed?" Filthy asked Eclipse. "Yes sir. Good night." Eclipse flew away. "Good night children. Good night everypony." Sombra said to them. "Good night!" they said together before Sombra turned into a shadow and left. "And to think we helped THEM." Diamond whispered to Silver. "We'll forget about it in time." Silver assured her. A few days later.... Eclipse took a pair of gold scissors with her magic and cut the red ribbon in front of the entrance of her new Day Care. The Lunar Eclipse Day Care. Everypony watching cheered and some took pictures. Starlight stood beside Eclipse, "Sorry I can't help you run the Lunar Eclipse Day Care...." she said sadly. "It's okay. You have to help your grandmother run her Day Care." "Thank you for understanding. I have to go. She is waiting for me." they hugged and Starlight teleported. Eclipse looked at the children watching and smiled. Starlight appeared at her grandmother's Day Care, which is now the Shooting Star Day Care.