Hunger Games spoilers
“And that’s why you now have a griffin now?”
“That’s why I have a griffon now.”
It had been three days since the Princess Summit (completely boring after the Mirror fiasco). Three days of helping Cookie adjust, which was a lot simpler than I had thought. She said it was all easy, like she wondered why she hadn’t been able to do it before.
The wings had been the most confusing bit for her. I don’t think I ever forget when she thought there was a bird on her back, and Cookie tried to hunt it, only to be painfully reminded that those wings were her’s.
Lilac had been the real one having trouble adjusting. Whether it was a new sister, or being left behind for the adventure, I have no idea.
Bee had come by a few hours after we came back. Lilac immediately went up to her room, closing the door to me. She must be angrier than I thought. Cookie was excitedly using her wings, flung all about the house. Thankfully I didn’t have important cases and stuff, or that would’ve been a problem.
I would have to remodel the Hut back Home. No way were we gonna fit a griffin in there without changes.
Anyway, Bee came in to find me at my dining room table, working on sketches for the new Hut. Apparently he had let himself in, catching Cookie had a cat nap, which led to me explaining all that had happened.
Once it was over, Bee seemed to be wrapping his head around it. “Wow. You went into another world, and changed your biology.”
I smiled. ‘Wasn’t the first time, and won’t be the last.’ “It was fun.”
Bee smirked, then chuckled. “Did you really help use the Elements Of Harmony?”
“Still confused on that part, but yeah.” I nodded, continuing to add edits to the Hut. Maybe I could use the Reality Watch on this one...
That was when I heard drop a book on my table. Looking up, I only saw a familiar title on the spine.
“Oh please don’t tell me my coltfriend actually likes ‘The Pony Games’?” I groaned.
Bumblebee looked up at me, hooves resting on the sides of the book so he wouldn’t lose his place. “What?”
“Those books suck.” I sighed. I had such high hopes…
“Hey.” Bumblebee whined. “These books are awesome!”
“I’ll admit, the writing is good and the author brings them to life.” I said. “But the concept itself sucks. The whole book series is about children killing each other for the government’s entertainment!” I argued.
“It’s about ponies showing they care about each other, and how Katnip is willing to give up her life to keep her family safe!” Bumblebee strongly argued.
“One of the major plot points is a twelve year old dying!” I argued. “And her entire family dying with her because they had a riot!”
“Hey! That moment was a huge turning point in the book!” Bumblebee said, pointing a hoof at me. “It showed that ponies were finally standing up to the government and President Snow.”
“Have you read the last book?” I asked. “My next point kinda means you need to read it.”
He held up the book he was reading. It was Mockingjay. He was half way through it.
“I might know your next point.” Bee commented.
“Okay. Another important point is when Katnip gives herself up for her sister, Primrose, so that Prim doesn’t die.” I looked at the yellow pegasus condescendingly. “And you know what happened?”
“Yes, I know wha-”
“Prim died anyway!” I yelled.
Bee sighed, wiping at his golden eyes. “Yeah. I know. It was so sad.”
I scoffed. “See! It’s a crappy book.”
Bumblebee froze, looking up at me with a victorious smirk. “Oh really?”
“Yes! I don’t even know why ponies read it.”
“Then how come you know so much about it?” Bumblebee asked.
Crap.
I couldn’t tell him I heard it from my mom. She was dead in Equestria. I couldn’t tell him I saw the movie. They didn’t exist yet here. This sucks.
“Uhh...let’s just say I have a friend who is a really big fan.” I excused.
Bumblebee nodded, smirking victoriously. “You said the writing was good. You read the books.”
“Nope.” I shook my head.
“You read the books.”
“I don’t read books where kids are killed for fun.” I said in my ‘the argument is over’ voice.
It reminded me too much of when I was Morgana for fifty years. It was all a game to her, like it was to President Snow and the other government people. Murdering children was a fun line she loved crossing, practically played hopscotch on the damn thing. No child was safe from her hunger, ever.
Morgana had made a game of it sometimes. Who does Mommy love more? Who forgot to eat their vegetables? Who didn’t clean after themselves? Who can scream louder? She reveled in the new games she could create. Sometimes she even made the kids attack each other, like in the Hunger Games.
Hence my dislike for the book. Hence my dislike for any sort of thing like that where children are brutally murdered for sport.
I couldn’t explain that to Bee. It was hard to come back from telling someone you were a blood hungry vampire for fifty years. That would lead to a whole new argument...
“It’s not about kids being killed for fun.” Bumblebee said, breaking me out of my thoughts. “It’s about ponies fighting a fractured government with all they have.”
“Our first argument. This is our first argument.” I said, a bit surprised. Not the fact that we were arguing, but that-
Bee widened his eyes. “Our first argument is about ‘The Pony Games’.” Yeah. That. Still, could be worse things for it to be about. Like take-out or childcare. “That’s hilarious.” He laughed.
I laughed with him.
“You read the books.” Bee reminded me.
My laughter stopped. “No. My friend just likes telling me all the details of the book series.”
“Right.” Bumblebee nodded his head, winking at me with his honey gold eyes. “Sure.”
I glared at him, grinning. “You read a book written for fillies.” His eyes cartoonishly shrunk. “And with that, I win.”
Bee snorted, lowering his eyes back to the book. “I let you win.”
“I guess you also let me win that ice cream contest.” I teased.
“The ice cream was getting on my mane!” He defended himself. He was even pouting, which I thought was adorable.
My coltfriend and I sat in silence for another few minutes, until I remembered a big detail I had left out of my story.
“There was a version of you in that world!” I shouted suddenly. It had slipped my mind, and Bee was confused enough after I explained the Mane Six’s counterparts. I was so focused on explaining why Cookie was here that I overlooked some of the other details.
Plus, his other self had acted oddly when he found out about it. It would probably be the same here, and I hated repeating conversations.
Bee looked up from his book, worried. “I had a double?”
“Yeah. He called himself Bumblebee too.” I smiled fondly. He looked good in those jackets...and that suit...
“And you...liked him?” Bee asked, hesitant.
“You should know.” I teased.
“W-what?” The Pegasus crossed his hooves, causing the book to close. He hurriedly opened it back, trying to find his page. “How would I know-”
“I’m dating you, you idiot.” I giggled.
Bee paused, hooves lowering back to his book. “Oh. Right.” He let out a relieved laugh. “That’s why.” I giggled as his expression relaxed. “And he looked like me?” Bee asked, confused.
“Well, no.” The pegasus started sweating. I smiled, fondly. “He had blue eyes...”
“W-what?” My somewhat relieved coltfriend asked.
“Yeah.” I smiled, leaning back in my chair. “He told me he had blue eyes. Showed them to me too, and I was kinda confused about why your’s-”
“Nope. Eyes are gold, always have been.” The pegasus lied, and it showed.
“Aww. That’s too bad.” Bee gave me a look. “I liked the blue eyes.”
That got his attention. “Did you?”
“Oh yeah.” I smiled, biting my lip to keep from laughing. “I think that’s my type, now. Black mane, blue eyes, pegasus. Mmm.”
The stallion was easier to read than a book. He smirked, falling into my trap. “Well. You caught me. I’ve got blue eyes. Use a...a...a thing to keep them gold.”
I smiled softly. “Don’t feel like you have to hide who you are, Bee. I can handle blue eyes. I can handle pretty much anything.”
Bee hesitated, then grinned. “Okay. I’ll just...uh...”
“Bathroom’s around that corner.” I said, pointing at it with my hoof. My magic picked up the pen, adding final details to the Hut design. “First door on the left.”
My coltfriend looked off that direction, then smiled at me. “Hey, Starry?”
My cheeks went a darker shade of pink. That was quickly becoming my favorite nickname. “Yeah, Bee?”
His smiled widened. “I told you that you’d have fun.” He flew off to my bathroom.
Oh, I wanted to whack him upside his head. I bit my lip as I looked over the blueprints.
“Okay.” I said, lifting up the design. “Woah. We can actually have a media room if I do it that way.”
With that done, my mind went to the other Plans I was working on. The Feud, how I was able to be a part of the Elements of Harmony, and how to explain Cookie to my parents.
Lifting a notebook with my magic, I began writing out theories on the Elements. It could have something to do with my alicorn magic being out of whack. The Elements had been part of the thing that gave me my wings could have a hand in that. I wasn’t an actual Element, but neither were the others. They at least had their Equestrian counterparts, I didn’t. Twilight might have a few ideas of her own.
Telling my parents about Cookie...
Skip!
The Feud. Ah, something enjoyable. Now, I’m a firm believer of poetic justice. Eye for an eye, and all that. The details are a bit sketchy at the moment for my Plan, but I’ll get justice for all the years of mental abuse.
“Alright. My blue eyes.”
Looking up at him, I was again shocked by Bumblebee’s blue eyes. I trotted up to him. For the first time since he asked me out, he looked nervous. He shuffled his hoof on the floor, barely able to keep his head up so I would see his gorgeous bright blue eyes.
His smirk was hesitant, and nervous. “S-so, you...you like?”
Later, I would completely deny doing this. My hoof took hold of his cheek, staring right into his neon blue eyes. I could see so much of him, years of self doubt coupled with the protectiveness you get from having a young sibling.
I pulled him over for a kiss. It took him a second to realize what was happening, and Bee kissed me back. I pulled away before he could stop me.
“See?” I said, smirking. “Told ya I loved the blue.”
Bumblebee was a bit dazed. He shook his head, trying to get back to the real world. I should kiss him more often if it does that every time.
“I’ll...” Bumblebee smiled, dazed. “Remember that.”
After Bee left, with plans made for this following Saturday night, the night went on with only a few complications. Lilac wouldn’t talk to me at dinner, while Cookie stared at her utensils with realization that she could use them.
To try and lift her spirits, I made Lilac’s favorite banana nut with ruby muffins. For Cookie, I have her some snickerdoodles I found in my pantry. I can’t remember why I had them...must’ve bought them by accident when shopping. Either way Cookie ate them, and Lilac barely spoke.
I tucked Cookie into bed, letting her sleep on the couch until I could fix up one of the rooms to better suit her. I wouldn’t touch Killjoy’s, couldn’t, so I guess I would have to make one for her. Woohoo, another remodel.
Lilac was under her covers when I walked into the room. School started up for next week, I suddenly remembered. I had to help her get ready for that, not to mention getting her ad Cookie ready for school back Home.
Her back was to me, so I just trotted to her bedside. She curled tighter on herself, away from me.
“Princess?” I called out gently.
Nothing.
I nervously bit at my lip. “I’m sorry.” She still didn’t move. “It was hurtful of me to not bring you along, but I couldn’t do that to you. The dragons, they’re dogs over there. Your friends were human, really human. I couldn’t put your through that.”
Nothing.
“Cookie was going to be a pet, but I think this is better.” I reached a good up to her bed, lowering it to the cushions before it reached her shoulder. “You have a little sister. How cool is that? You’re the cool big sister. Cookie’s always going to look up to you, always going to be your best friend, always be the most annoying person you’ve ever met. To her, you’re going to be Lilac, my big sister. You’ll be her hero.”
There was silence for a long moment. “...like Aunt Killjoy?” Her voice was heavy, like she had barely stopped herself from crying.
The mention of my sister added tension to the room. I winced, nervously shifting on the carpet floor.
“I didn’t know you switched.” Lilac said, voice cracking. “The mean man...he...he said you were hurt...r-really badly. I didn’t know what had happened to you, or anybody. It was just Spike and me, and we were scared.” She sniffled.
My hoof reached out, brushing soothingly on her head fins. She sniffled loudly, almost a full sob.
“The-The mean man...he said...he said he had s-something of you...and he gave me a s-smelly rag.” Lilac let out a sob. “It had Auntie Killjoy’s blood on it.”
“Oh Princess.” I climbed up into her bed, pulling her into a hug.
Lilac buried her face in my chest, tears soaking my fur. It hardly mattered to me, let her cry. She needed this, we both did. “I-I didn’t know it was Auntie’s!” My daughter cried. “I thought it was you that was hurt!”
I kept running smooth circles on her back, letting her pour it all out.
“And then he said you were dead!” Lilac sobbed, harder. “I-I didn’t wanna believe it! Not even when Ms. Care and Ms. Maddie and Ms. Anna saved me. Ms. Caroline wanted to save you. I was so scared, Mommy!”
“Princess, I’m so sorry.” I said soothingly. My hooves were still holding her in the hug, so I started rocking her gently like one would an infant.
Lilac sniffled, then went back to sobbing. “A-and th-then I-I hear-heard the c-coun-ting.”
I knew where this was going. “Princess, you don’t have to go on.” ‘We both know what happened next. I don’t want you to relive that.’
“Then I found out it was Auntie Killjoy’s blood.” Lilac sniffled, wiping at her watering midnight blue eyes. My heart went out. No child should have to go through that. “He gave me a rag of Auntie Killjoy’s blood, and told me it was your’s. I was scared, and no one would tell me anything.”
“Lilac...”
She sniffled again. “A-and I’m scared, Mommy. You love Auntie Killjoy. You still cry cause of how much you miss her. I don’t wanna love Cookie that much and then lose her. I don’t wanna lose my sister. I don’t wanna get that close to somepony and lose them.”
Her words were broken up by sniffles and the occasional choking sob. I brushed my hoof on her back, adding gentle kisses to her forehead. The next few minutes were just filled with her sobs, until I knew what to say.
“Sometimes, Lilac, bad things happen to good people.” I began. “Now, your aunt had her faults, don’t get me wrong. She was pigheaded, bossy, could never keep a guy for longer than three days, and pretty much every sentence had a swear word in it.”
I paused, putting my hoof under Lilac’s chin so she was looking up into my eyes. Her usually peppy midnight blue reptile eyes were now watery, and the pupils were wide like a pony’s would be. Her ear fins were low to her shoulders, which were slumped. Her whole body was saying I just spent ten minutes crying to my mother’s chest and I’m not done.
“But your aunt never did anything without her full heart.” I smiled fondly. “If she didn’t want to do it completely, it wasn’t done. She always stood up for her friends, not just me either. Darce had an odd way of getting people to have fun, no matter what was going on. She was probably the most open minded person in the whole of creation.” I kissed Lilac’s forehead, keeping one hoof around her back.
She had gotten to big for me to cradle her in my hooves, so I settled for wrapping my wings around her.
“Wanna know a secret? I hated Darcy when I first met her.” Lilac looked at me with wide shocked eyes. “I know, hard to believe. We were the best of friends, real twins, and I didn’t even want to acknowledge her existence the first few days. She was...well, I gave you that list. I convinced myself that maybe she was just what I needed, the sister I’d always wanted, just after she saw the house blow up.”
“She told me you told her she was stupid.” Lilac commented, softly.
“Oh no, she was. All the time. Never met a bigger idiot than your aunt, she was six when she did that.” I said, shaking my head at my sister’s stupidity. “But that’s not my point. I told her all of that stuff because I was letting her in, Lilac, and I don’t know what I would do if she got hurt right after I decided to let her in.”
Lilac sniffled, wiping at her eyes with her claw. I lowered her back onto her bed, keeping a wing wrapped around her even as my magic lifted the blanket over her.
“So, what I’m trying to say Princess, is give Cookie a chance.” I kissed her forehead again. “You never know just what you’re missing.”
I stayed there with her for another few minutes, then trotted off to my room. My daughters were smart, they would work this out.
Now...how to explain Cookie to Mom and Dad?