A SCS Hearths Warming
Main Characters: Starlight, Diamond Tiara
Cameos: Apple Bloom, Applejack, Satsuma, Del, Rei, Inkie, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Freya, Silver Spoon, Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo
Original Start Date: November 29, 2013
Starlight Sparkle is feeling down. He is at the train station giving Apple Bloom a big hug. Applejack, Satsuma and Big Macintosh watch the exchange. The youngest pony lets out a big yawn. Applejack nudges her son to make him stop.
‘Please don’t go,’ Starlight begs.
‘Ya can come with us,’ Apple Bloom suggests. ‘Always room fer one more with the Apple family.’
‘Plenty of room,’ Satsuma groans.
Applejack bumps her son again. ‘Despite what yer brother was implyin’, ya’d be perfectly welcome with the family.’
Starlight gives an unsure smile. ‘I don’t know. It is your family, not mine...’
Apple Bloom nuzzles her coltfriend. ‘Yer practically family already. Ya wouldn’ be out o place.’
Applejack taps her son a third time. The young colt rolls his eyes. ‘Come on, big bro. It wouldn’t be Hearths Warming without you.’
Starlight takes a breath. ‘Maybe I’ll pop in.’ He taps his his horn. ‘Have time, will travel, and all that.’ He sighs and looks away. ‘I still want to find my own place for Chanu-Hearths-mas.’
‘Another weird alien thing,’ Satsuma snorts.
‘Kwanzaa.’
‘I know a little Zebra, and that makes no sense.’
The train whistle sounds the last call for boarding.
Apple Bloom gives Starlight a big hug and a kiss. ‘Still time fer ya t’ join us.’
Starlight smiles halfheartedly. ‘Don’t worry about me.’
‘Ya know where t’ find us, right?’ Applejack asks.
The unicorn nods.
‘Don’t get too lonely, big bro,’ Satsuma adds.
Starlight smiles again. The Apples wave as they board the train. The unicorn waves back before sighing and teleporting away.
Starlight rests his head on Rei’s kitchen table. Del sits with him, eating some leftover melon bread and drinking Ramune. Rei and Inkie trot from their room with a couple of bags.
‘Get enough gifts?’ Inkie asks.
‘Somepony has to while daddy is away,’ Rei replies.
‘But who has to deliver them all?’
‘Santa Pony. Duh.’
‘So, your dad?’
Rei covers her wife’s mouth. ‘Shh! You don’t want to upset Santa Pony or you won’t get any presents. He can monitor everything.’
‘On one planet we went to,’ Starlight says, ‘their version of Santa was five meters tall and breathed fire.’
His older sister gapes. ‘That is so cool.’
Her wife rolls her eyes. ‘Neighponese...’
‘Sounds like you’ve seen some cool things,’ Del comments.
‘Yeah… Mom and dad took me a lot of fun places,’ Starlight sighs.
Del looks at her sister. ‘Speaking of which, where are you going this year?’
‘Princess Luna invited my family to visit this year,’ Inkie replies. ‘Somepony’ -- she pokes Rei -- ‘seems to have told her mother that she would miss her so much when visiting her in-laws on their rock farm.’
‘And Luna as so nice, she invited us all to the palace,’ Rei finishes.
‘That’s fun.’ Del smiles. She looks at her brother. ‘I’m going to the Crystal Empire to see Shiny and Cadance with our grandparents. Are you coming too?’
Starlight frowns. ‘I was invited, but I didn’t accept.’
‘Why not? It is so fun there.’
‘Crystal berry pies,’ Rei drools.
The sisters salivate as they reminisce.
Inkie rolls her eyes at her wife’s behavior. ‘Why didn’t you want to go, Starlight?’
‘I don’t know. It just didn’t feel right.’ He sits backs and signs. ‘I don’t know. I just don’t know where to go for the holiday. Everypony I know is going somewhere different.’
‘Well, you just have more options than most ponies. Some years, we visit my parents. Some years, we visit Luna. Once, we even went to Cloudsdale with Fluttershy’s family.’
‘That was fun!’ Rei cheers. ‘You were so scared you would fall the whole time.’
‘If we didn’t get that cloudwalking powder from Zecora, we would never have gone,’ Inkie huffs.
There is a crash as the bottom of the stairs. Pinkie calmly trots into the room.
‘Inkie, I’m going to need your help carrying my presents,’ the pink pony states.
‘You carried them here fine...’ her younger sister grumbles.
‘That’s not even half of it! Since we’re going to be in Canterlot, I had to get gifts for Rarity and Spike and Sweetie Belle. I also got gifts for Twilight’s family for Starlight and Del to take with them. And tons of gifts for the air force to deliver to Dashie and Trixie and all my friends around the world!’
‘You can’t abuse the Equestrian Military for your own ends,’ Inkie huffs.
‘Why not? Luna lets me do that all the time,’ Rei argues. ‘Do you think I would be able to get half those games for Lucas if I didn’t have some weight with customs?’
‘Rei...’
Starlight stands. ‘I’ll help you, Pinkie, but you got one thing wrong: I’m not going with Del.’
‘Aww! Wait. If you’re not going with Del-ikins, then where are you going? Apple Bloom and your brother left a long time ago.’
‘It wasn’t that long ago,’ Starlight replies. ‘Besides, why weren’t you there to see them off? You must have gotten something for them.’
Pinkie looks away. ‘Well, uh, she would have been there too...’
‘Come on, Pinkie. It is Hearth’s Warming. It is a time where you put your differences aside. You know that. You’re a smart cookie, not a pudding head.’
‘I know… I guess… Maybe… The air force can send their presents too...’
‘Oh, Pinkie...’ her sister sighs.
Starlight looks around. ‘If you’re all ready, I can help you to the train station.’ He frowns. ‘I’m becoming a regular there today...’
Del hugs her brother. ‘Cheer up, big bro. You can always come to the Crystal Empire too.’
Rei hangs off the other side of her brother. ‘And there is always room at the palace. I’m sure the princesses would love to have you join us.’
Pinkie nods. ‘Exactly! We don’t want you all mopey like your dad was before Rei and your mom and me made him all smiley!’
Starlight forces a smile. ‘We’ll see. If anything, I can teleport wherever I need to.’
‘If you say so...’ Rei hems, dropping to the ground.
‘Don’t worry. Everything will work out for me.’
Starlight trots up to Fluttershy’s cottage. Fluttershy flits about looking in every den and warren in her yard.
‘Freya! Freya!’ the worried mother calls. ‘Freya!’
‘Lose something, Fluttershy?’ Starlight asks.
‘Oh, uh, hi, Starlight. What brings you out here?’
The unicorn looks around. ‘I just saw my sisters off at the train station, and I was sorta wondering what you were up to.’
‘We’re just getting ready to leave for Cloudsdale.’ Fluttershy sticks her head in a burrow. ‘FREYA!’
‘Little trouble getting Freya to come along?’
‘Whatever gave you that idea?’ -- Starlight stares back incredulously -- ‘Well, um, Freya gets a little overwhelmed by her grandmother’s constant surprising us. She hides to avoid going. … That’s my job...’ Fluttershy looks around her yard and scowls. ‘COME OUT!’
‘Sounds like you have your hooves full.’
‘Oh, maybe just a little.’ She sighs dejectedly. ‘Was there any reason you came by?’
Starlight kicks the ground a bit. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t been able to figure out who I want to spend the holidays with. I know I could teleport to see them, but I don’t know who to spend it with, especially since there are so many places where I could spend it.’
‘Wherever you end up going will be the right place. Um, please don’t consider it rude but...’
‘Let me help you.’
Starlight concentrates for a second then casts a spell. Freya shrieks as she appears on her mother’s back. Once she calms, she glares at her teacher, exposing her bat pony fangs.
‘Thank you, Starlight!’ Fluttershy gives the young stallion a friendly kiss on the cheek. ‘I hope you have a wonderful Hearths Warming.’ She looks back. ‘What do you say, Freya?’
The filly eases her scowl slightly. She holds Angel out and has her toy kiss her teacher on the nose.
‘Good girl.’ Fluttershy trots back to her cottage with her passenger. ‘Now, let’s get going. The sooner we’re there, the sooner we can leave.’
Freya gives a happy squeal and hugs her mother. Starlight smiles then teleports back to the library. He looks around the empty building covered in decorations and moans. The lonely unicorn checks his mobile for messages then drags himself to find something to do.
The next day. Starlight is out in the market looking for an open stall so he can buy something for dinner. Most of the shops are closed for the holiday. The unicorn carries a bag with his shopping. He leaves the market and heads back into town. On his way home, he runs into a couple friends.
‘Well, well, well. Look who we have here,’ Diamond Tiara comments.
Silver Spoon sees Starlight and blushes. ‘Oh. Hi, Starlight.’
Starlight waves. ‘Hey. Good to see you.’
‘What are you still doing here?’ Diamond asks. ‘I thought you would have followed Apple Bloom out of here days ago.’
‘It was only yesterday...’
‘What about Rei?’ Silver asks. ‘Are you going away with her instead?’
‘She left yesterday too.’
‘And Del?’ Diamond follows up.
Starlight frowns. ‘I’m here all alone.’
Diamond nudges her friend. ‘Now’s your chance.’
‘Diamond! Knock it off!’ Silver gripes.
‘I kid. There will be plenty of time for that at the party.’
‘What party?’ Starlight wonders.
‘The one you’re inviting us to.’
‘I’m not throwing any party.’
‘Of course you are. You have that big, empty library all to yourself. It is only proper that you throw a big party for all your friends who are still in town. Especially since the two most lovely mares in town just accepted your invitation.’
‘I-I-I don’t think that is a good idea,’ Silver stammers. ‘I don’t want to get in trouble with Apple Bloom again.’
Starlight groans. ‘You won’t get in trouble since there is no party.’
‘Nonsense,’ Diamond argues. ‘We’ll invite everypony left in town. It will be fun.’
Starlight hold his head. ‘Can’t you bother Scootaloo with this stuff?’
‘She’s spending Hearths Warming in Cloudsdale with Rainbow Dash, like she always does.’ Diamond pulls Starlight’s leg. ‘Come on. It will be fun.’
‘Ugh. If it will get you to shut up, then you can invite some friends over to the library.’
‘Yay!’ The pink mare gets out her mobile. ‘I think Ruby and Dinky are still in town. Maybe Snips and Snails too. Shady might be around...’ She dials a number and looks at the unwilling host. ‘I hope you are planning on getting more than just that. We’ll need a lot more for a good party.’
Starlight groans as Diamond makes her calls.
Silver snickers. ‘I’ll ask Ruby and the others to see what they can bring. Sorry for forcing you into this.’
‘Yeah. Well, what else am I going to do?’ the stallion grumbles.
Diamond Tiara waves to the other guests as they leave. Starlight uses his magic to clean up the library. After the last guest has left, Diamond plops down on an empty cushion.
‘So, what are we doing for the rest of the night?’ the mare asks.
‘I have to clean up, and you should be getting home.’
Diamond looks at the door then back at Starlight. ‘Kicking me out without offering me dinner? You need to work on your hosting skills,’ she scoffs. ‘I bet you don’t even have a spare bed ready.’
Starlight stops working for a moment. ‘Why would I have a spare bed ready?’
‘So you have some place to sleep, of course. You don’t expect me to sleep on a guest bed or a couch, now do you?’
‘I still don’t even get why you think you are staying over. You have your own place. All to yourself too, with Pinkie and Lemon out of town.’
Diamond frowns. ‘Like I said, your hosting skills need some work. If it wasn’t for me, your party would never have been a success.’
‘Diamond. Go home.’
The mare gasps. ‘You expect a defenceless and beautiful mare like me to cross the town in the middle of the night? I could be taken advantage of or worse! I will feel much safer if you give up your bed to me.’
‘Aren’t you worried about me taking advantage of you?’
‘Pul-ease! You are too crazy for Apple Bloom to take advantage of anypony other than your left hoof. I’m perfectly safe with you around.’
Starlight rolls his eyes. ‘You do know Apple Bloom and I use our bed for sex, right?’
Diamond thinks for a moment then shrugs. ‘Still cleaner than Scootaloo’s apartment. Now, what is for dinner?’
The unicorn groans and goes to the kitchen. ‘Whatever you make for yourself.’
Diamond scowls and growls at her host. ‘You really need to work on your hosting skills...’
Morning. Starlight sleeps curled up in his bed. His hooves are wrapped around Apple Bloom’s pillow, and he breathes deep her scent. His momentary bliss is interrupted when his mobile rings. He levitates it to his ear.
`I’d like blueberry waffles with a side of tofu sausage and a glass of orange juice,` Diamond says over the line.
Starlight groans and hangs up. His mobile rings again. ‘Get it yourself!’ he shouts.
His mobile buzzes as a text is received. [You need to work on your room service skills.]
Diamond Tiara lays on the couch watching television and working on her tablet. Starlight trots into the room, looking at his mobile. He sees his guest and snorts. A glow surrounds his horn.
‘Try and I break it off,’ Diamond threatens. ‘By the way,’ -- she holds up a bowl -- ‘you’re out of crisps.’
‘What are you still doing here?’ Starlight asks, sitting nearby.
‘Trying to get some more crisps, for one.’
‘Diamond. You know what I mean.’
The young mare sets down the bowl and returns to her tablet. ‘So, uh, what do you want to watch? There isn’t anything on, but whatever.’
‘Is there any reason you don’t want to go home other than trying to get me to wait on you?’
Diamond frowns and taps some buttons. ‘It is lonely there. Nopony to hang out with.’
‘What about Silver? Can’t you spend time with her.’
‘I see her all the time. Besides, she is spending the holiday with her mother.’
‘Then why not do the same? I am sure there is room at your mansion for you.’
Diamond’s frown increases, and she taps slower. ‘I just… I don’t want to go back there.’ Her frowns turns to a glower. ‘What about you? Why aren’t you out there screwing your fillyfriend in her relatives’ beds?’ She rolls to her back and moans, ‘If I had your magic, I’d eat out in Cloudsdale right now!’
Starlight grimaces. ‘First, eww. Second, you now have me wondering about the acoustic properties of clouds.’
‘They’re not that good, FYI. And quit dodging my question.’
‘Sorry.’ The unicorn takes a deep breath. ‘The reason I am not out there is because I want to be everywhere. I have too many options to choose from that I cannot choose any of them.’
Diamond sighs and nods. ‘Personally, I’d spend the holiday with Del, but that is just me. If I were you, I’d be busy meeting and memorizing Apple Bloom’s relatives.’
‘I’d love to, but I don’t feel right picking her over the others.’
‘I’m no better.’ Diamond returns her attention to her tablet. ‘I could be back at my dad’s mansion, every whim waited on, spoiled to my core… I just...’
‘Doesn’t feel right, does it?’
The normally-talkative mare only nods in reply. The two ponies sit in silence.
‘Damn it!’ Starlight swears. ‘Why can’t this be like any other year?’
Diamond looks at the unicorn quizzically.
‘With mom and dad, I wouldn’t have to make this choice. I could be there with Satsuma when he unwraps a new sonic, playing with Rei and Luna as they prank Celestia, and take Del to a planet made entirely of cake. All at the same time! But I chose to be stuck here, in this stupid linear world, when I am too chicken to pick any of my family to spend the holiday with!’ He kicks the floor, putting a hole in it. ‘I just want to see mom and dad again.’ He pulls his hoof free and starts casting a spell to mend the hole. ‘Sorry for that outburst.’
‘I think it is time,’ Diamond whispers, staring at her tablet.
‘What?’
Diamond looks up and smile halfheartedly. ‘Can you do something for me?’
Several years earlier. Filly Diamond Tiara sits by a grave, sobbing her eyes out. Her trademark tiara sits beside her. Somepony trots up behind her.
‘Hurts a lot, doesn’t it?’ mare Diamond Tiara asks.
‘What do you know?’ her filly self shouts back. ‘You didn’t know her like I did!’
‘Actually, I knew your grandmother quite well. She was a dear friend of mine.’
‘Bullsh-’
Diamond pushes the back of her younger self. ‘Watch your language. She wouldn’t want you talking like that. She’d want you out there, playing with your friends.’
‘I… I don’t have any friends.’ Filly Diamond tears up again. ‘I don’t even think Silver Spoon likes me.’
‘Now’s as good a time as any to make some. I bet you are too much of a wuss to tell Scootaloo you like her stunts.’
‘Hey!’ Filly Diamond gets up and faces her accuser. ‘What I think about that stupid blank flank is my business!’
Mare Diamond smirks. ‘Mine too.’
The Diamonds stare at each other for several moments.
Filly Diamond looks away. ‘Pfft. Whatever.’
Mare Diamond picks up the filly’s tiara and puts it on its owner’s head. ‘Your grandmother wouldn’t want you to be sad. She’d want you being the best pony you can be.’
‘But I’m a monst-’
‘You are not a monster! If you call yourself a monster again, I will find you and smack you so hard that you’ll finally lose your last baby tooth.’
‘I don’t have any baby teeth still, you bitch!’
Mare Diamond bonks her younger self on the head. ‘It is not nice to lie. And you are not a bitch either. You just act like one from time to time. Stop calling ponies “monsters” and ease up on the swearing. Seriously. At the rate you’re going, your swear jar could pay for college.’
Filly Diamond scowls up at her older self. Her expression falls, and she stares at the ground. ‘Will I really make friends if I change like that? Will I finally be happy?’
Mare Diamond nods and smiles. ‘All that and more. You’ll even see that monsters can be ponies too.’
Filly Diamond smiles up at herself. ‘Thank you.’
‘Of course. It is what you needed to hear. Now, go find your dad. He’s worried sick about you.’
‘Right.’ The filly looks around her older self. ‘You can get back to your coltfriend.’
‘Him? Ha!’ Diamond scoffs. ‘We can do much better than that.’
‘Duh. We’re Diamond Tiara.’
‘Exactly! And don’t let anypony tell you otherwise.’
Filly Diamond smiles and gallops off to find her father. Mare Diamond smiles as she returns to Starlight.
‘Like you could even handle me,’ the stallion grumbles.
‘Pul-ease. Scootaloo is twice the stallion you are.’
‘Are you feeling better?’
Diamond’s smile grows. ‘Yes. Both of us are.’
Starlight casts a spell. Both ponies return to Ponyville Library. Seconds later, Starlight’s glasses return as well. Diamond keeps smiling as she sits down and picks up her tablet.
‘Want tell me..?’ Starlight begins.
‘That was a little while before your father moved to Ponyville. I remember that because Silver told me all about the new clerk at the game store. I didn’t really give a flying’ -- a new mail chime sounds over her words -- ‘at the time, but I remembered once it was important.’ She looks up at her host. ‘I practiced that speech for years. I memorized everything I told myself. When I met you for the first time, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would be giving that talk to myself.’
Starlight shrugs as he sits by Diamond. ‘Well, I guess it is good helping out a friend. I don’t want to mess with the timeline.’ He takes a breath. ‘So, what do we want to do tonight while we hide from our family?’
Diamond rolls over and puts her hindlegs in Starlight’s lap. ‘Hoof massage but if you work above the knee, you owe me dinner first.’
Starlight stands, dropping the mare’s legs. ‘I’m going to get us garden burgers.’ He checks his mobile. ‘I hope they are still open. I’d hate to use time travel twice in one day.’
Starlight teleports away. Diamond huffs and stretches out again.
‘Starlight. Starlight.’
The sleeping unicorn groans and rolls over, pulling the covers over his head.
‘Time to get up. It is Hearths Warming.’
‘I don’t wanna,’ the young stallion grumbles. ‘Hearths Warming is stupid.’
‘Listen to your mother. You don’t want to keep everypony waiting.’
Starlight bolts upright in bed. His parents are sitting beside him.
‘Happy Hearths Warming,’ James and Twilight Sparkle greet.
Starlight hugs his parents, at a loss for words. ‘I-I… I just...’
‘It is good seeing you too,’ Twilight replies, hugging her son.
‘You’ve grown a lot since we last saw you,’ James adds.
Starlight stares at his father incredulously.
‘I meant as a pony,’ the older stallion replies.
‘That will do, dear,’ Twilight sighs.
‘What are you doing here?’ Starlight asks.
‘Is there a law saying parents can’t visit their son on Hearths Warming?’ James counters.
‘There can be,’ Twilight says. She hugs her son. ‘Though, the opposite would benefit the country more.’
‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ Starlight stammers.
Twilight lets go. ‘Not for too much longer. We don’t want to get in the way of your party.’
‘Diamond?’ Starlight snorts.
James smiles. ‘She had a little help.’ He pulls back his son’s sheets. ‘Now, go on. You don’t want to be as social as me, do you?’
Twilight rolls her eyes. ‘Oh, James.’ She nudges her son. ‘Go on. You don’t want to keep everypony waiting.’
Starlight smiles and gets up. He goes to the door before stopping. He looks back, but his parents are gone. He laughs and opens the door.
‘Happy Hearths Warming, Starlight Sparkle!’
The young stallion is stunned to find all his friends and family on the other side of the door. Apple Bloom trots over and gives her coltfriend a kiss. Rei flies over and hugs her brother. Del looks up from the cake she is eating to smile and wave. Satsuma tries to look unenthusiastic, but he cannot help but smile.
‘What is all this?’ Starlight gapes.
‘When we heard ya were unable t’ choose who t’ see,’ Apple Bloom replies, ‘we jus’ had t’ come and see ya ourselves.’
‘Thanks...’
‘You shouldn’t worry about making us happy, big bro,’ Satsuma comforts. ‘Just make yourself happy.’
‘This cake is delicious,’ Del adds.
Starlight laughs and joins the party. At the back of the room, Diamond smiles as she taps her tablet before putting it away and sneaking out.
Starlight cleans up after the party. Everypony has returned to their respective gatherings. The unicorn laughs about the unspoken fact that his parents brought them all to see him. He puts a bag of garbage in the bin outside, washes his hooves, goes to the living room and flops on the couch.
‘You’re making dinner tonight,’ the young stallion states.
‘Is that any way to treat your guest?’ Diamond scoffs.
Starlight laughs. ‘Where were you at the party? Everypony was there. Heck. Apple Bloom even let Silver get under the mistletoe with me.’
Diamond smiles. ‘I had somewhere important to be.’
Starlight yawns and stretches out. ‘How did you do it?’
‘Do what?’
‘How did you contact my parents?’
Diamond taps her tablet. ‘I have my ways.’
Starlight laughs again. ‘Why did you do it?’
The young mare smiles and leans back, holding her tablet to her. ‘Because I wasn’t the only one who helped set me straight. I was once taught that even strangers can be the greatest gift a pony can have, even if they are as strange as your family.’ She laughs and taps her tablet again. ‘Except your brother. He’s pretty normal.’
Starlight laughs and casts a spell. Diamond’s legs are surrounded by a glow for a moment.
‘What’s this?’ the young mare asks.
‘Happy Hearths Warming, Diamond.’
Starlight casts another spell. Diamond disappears and reappears in a cloud house. There is a scream.
‘Mom! I told you to knock!’ Scootaloo shouts, pulling a blanket over herself. She takes a second to calm down. ‘Diamond?!’
‘Scootaloo!’ Diamond gasps. A crafty grin creeps across her face. ‘So good to see you.’
The pegasus blushes. ‘I was just thinking about you.’
‘Then don’t let me stop you.’ Diamond’s grin grows. ‘Unless you want me to join you, that is.’
Scootaloo squeaks and nods. Diamond cackles and slips under the covers.
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Well this chapter was interesting. I was kinda hoping for a party scene, with cameos from some of the mentioned attendees(first party). Otherwise it was christmassy in the doctor who fashion, barring a large alien threat, so good work on that.
I'm gonna have to re-read it a couple times to pull a plot point to discuss though, as nothing jumped out at me as odd.
Also, I have been wondering, could starlight regenerate, or is he not timelord enough( I ask as river song was only a third timelord and regenerated, starlight could also have been concieved in similar circustances)
Also, are we gonna be seeing more doctor cameo's after we as a fandom get a handle on the next doctor? I think I have rambled enough, time to do my customary second and third readings
3600592
I did not even think about the new Doctor until now. That just reminded me that I might be able to use him in one chapter. But, seeing how we're only a third of the way through the planned chapters, I can safely say we aren't seeing much of The Doctor in SCS. No easy way to work in a Who-style episode to be honest. Another Perspective and Flashback is the closest we'll get to that style.
Starlight was conceived during Tanabata, hence his name and June birthdate. Though, there is scene coming up that does mention he was conceived on the Sparkles' TARDIS. I never thought of him, Satsuma or any of their siblings other than Rei regenerating. I don't even try thinking of their father regenerating. That is bad enough. (Why Rei? One of the endings for this chapter was the villain killing everyone, Rei starting to regenerate then her getting killed before she could regenerate. Extrapolate that to her siblings as you will.)
As for the lack of party and present scenes, that was more of a TWP thing. I was consciously thinking about that while writing, but I concluded that was more what Starlight's parents would do rather than what he would do. That and I didn't want to take away the focus from him and Diamond too much. And don't worry about their peer group. We'll be seeing a lot more of them soon enough. (Read: about 2-3 weeks the way chapter production has been going.)
3600990 the nit picker in me could only extrapolate that to the RoH universe, as the kids' father there was a TWP/Twilight blend.
3601158
Good point. It would also be good to keep in mind that Queen Luna is the mother of Rei, Helios and Alba.
Actually, there was. Enjoy!
3600592
BTW, did Alba answer your question about regeneration and James' kids well enough or do I need to drop more hints in other chapters?
With that bonus scene,
Freya is now bestpony
6205254 She's going to grow up to be a fine dragoon, don't ya think? Definitely not as ratty as one would think.