//------------------------------//
// epilogue 
// Story: A Filly's New Hope 
// by Mocha Star 
//------------------------------//

Apple Smith and Johnny Appletree galloped down the street of Starlight Melody, a town built from Starlight Nova’s farm and out. Turning sharply, they followed the sign pointing them to the local clinic. “Where’s she?! Where’s Starlight Nova?”

“Miss, calm down. Who are you and-”

“Don’t give me non’a that lip. She’s our daughter and her daughter’s havin’ a daughter!”

“Ma’am, we’re the Apples. Close relation to the family.”

“Ah! I see,” the nurse said casually. “Room four down that hall. Just follow the shouting.”

The Apples turned and ran down the hall, sliding three doors too far on the polished linoleum floors before trotting back to the room and pushing it open.

Inside they saw the purple mare they’d raised from a filly and her daughter, Starlight Shine, and beside her was her husband, Pear Jam. Apple Smith glared daggers at the stallion as she entered the room, softening her gaze when she saw her granddaughter in the final throws of labor.

“Well, this’ it, Ma. She’s gonna have a baby within the hour, another member of the family,” Nova said proudly with a smile. The pregnant mare groaned long and loudly.

The doctor came in, his horn lit, and happiness crossed his features. “It’s time to bring a foal into the world, nurse.”

…

“Oh, by the stars, she’s beautiful. The most beautiful filly Ah’ve seen in a timberwolves age.” Apple Smith looked over to see the seat next to Starlight Shine empty, the father having left during the birth. She buried the rage in her chest and looked at mother and baby sharing their first bonding moment as the filly drank and mommy rested.

“Eeyup, she’s sure somethin’.”

Nova nuzzled her daughter. “What’d’ya decide to name her?”

With a soft chuckle, Starlight Shine smiled. “Keeping the family name going, ya know. I’ve chosen Starlight Glimmer, and if she’s anything like my mom, she’ll change the world, too.”