//------------------------------// // The Home where I was Born. // Story: Touched by the Light // by Order or Chaos //------------------------------// I open my eyes and throw off my covers. I am greeted with the sight of my dim room, the sun attempting to shine through the caramel colored blinds. I decide to not bother with folding my bed, since today I can do that. A delicious smell of baking invades my nose, as I exit my room. Walking downstairs, I see my mommy sitting near an oven. Her beautiful violet eyes move to me and a smile appears on her lips. "Good morning sweetie, slept well?" "Yes!" I shouted, as I ran towards her to give her a hug. "I had a funny dream, where you and daddy were squirrels and got this huge pile of nuts and sweets!" Mommy's laughter rang out as she looked down at me. "I'm pretty sure it's unhealthy for squirrels to eat anything sweet." I shook my head. "Nuh-uh. I was a squirrel too and I ate some of the candy and I was perfectly fine!" Mom can be so silly sometimes. "Of course you did sweetie. Well: you are going to get some real treats soon, so take a swim in the bath." I pout. "Aww. Do I have to?" "Of course you do, it's your birthday after all." "Exactly! So why should I take a bath if it's my birthday?" "Because you're going to put on that pretty dress of yours?" "But I'm already clean!" Mommy's smile turns more warm. "Well, in that case you'll be downright shining like the little gem you are." I grumble in displeasure as she pinches my cheek, which for some reason makes Mommy giggle. "Go on then sweetie, the sooner you are done the so-" I scrunch up my nose. "Mom, what's that smell?" "What smell?" She takes a whiff of the air. "Oh no." Mom gets a panicked expression and opens the oven, black smoke rushes from inside. "Oh no, no, no, NO!" She pulls out... something. It was black and seemingly had black skulls of smoke coming off from it. Mom looks at it with for a second, before releasing a pained sigh. She mumbles to herself along the lines of: "another one", as she turns it off. "Don't worry about it mom! At least you got better." I feel happy, whenever I see mom smiling. "Thanks. I guess you don't have to wash up at the moment, since I have to bake a new pie." "Or you could buy one from Blind Shield's bakery." I suggest. "I could, but I would like to make something myself. I want this birthday to be memorable." I look at the dark sludge. "Good, happy memories." "Right. Oh! Is sis awake yet?" "I don't know. Why don't you check up on her, while I try to make something edible for today?" "Fine. Is dad going to be home today?" Mom is silent for a moment. "Of course he'll be sweetie, what kind of question is that?" She furrows her brows. "Well I just though, that with his job... and... nevermind." I release a sigh. "Oh, Bright. Of course he'll make it home today, don't you worry about that." She smiles warmly. "Okay, if you say so." I say, still a bit unsure. I tighten myself around her and get a nuzzle in return. Jumping out of her embrace I skip to and up the stairs. I see my sister, quietly creeping out of the bathroom and closing the door behind herself. She jumps when she turns around and sees me. "Oh um. Hey sis, I didn't expect you to be awake at this time. Could have saved me the effort of trying to sneak out." I cover my mouth and giggle at my little sisters antics. "And why wouldn't I be awake, hm-m? What are you implying?" Her eyes get shifty and she begins stammering. "Oh relax. I'm just teasing you a little." "Hmph. That's not funny. I woke up early today especially for you: I was going to help mom make a surprise." "Yeah. She might need some help right now actually." "Really?" She asks, walking past me. "Yeah. Hey... sis?" "Hm?" She turns around, while I chew on my lip. "...Pay no nevermind. It's not important." She raises an eyebrow. "Al-right?" A very uncomfortable silence falls. "Happy birthday sis." She says, coming back for a hug. She felt a bit cold. Agate's form disappeared down the stairs probably a while back, yet I was still standing. Why her? I shake the thought away. I am not a jealous Pony, what is wrong with me? Having used the little fillies room, I walk back downstairs. I freeze on the last step. "NO! Where did the fire come from!? This is a crystal powered oven!" "Water!" "Nah." A click rings out. "It has an extinguishing function." "...Just for you? Ah, no! I'm sorry mom, wait!" "Got you, cheeky little filly!" "No ah! Hehestohohop!" I slowly peek out of the doorway and see mom mercilessly tickling sis. Agate is laughing really hard and eventually: mom relents and lies down beside her, both out of breath, short giggles escaping them. I shake my head in amusement and walk up to stand over the two goofs. "Oh h-hey sweetie. H-how are you doing?" "I'm alright, how about you?" "Well... if we don't consider the fact, that I had just nearly burned down the house: I'd say not too bad. Wanna join us?" "Nah I'm good." Mom takes a deep breath and with a groan stands up, with Agate doing the same. "We will definitely be at this for a while. Tell you what? You can go outside and play for a bit, with your friends, while me and Agate prepare everything, hm?" "Oh, but I have just took a bath!" "Well then: make sure to not get yourself messy." Mom smiled. I wanted to resorted to cuteness, but then an idea struck me. "Well then: I will simply not wear the dress." I smirked victoriously. A lone eyebrow was raised. "Do you really not want to take a second bath, that much?" "What's the point?" "The healers say: it's sanitary. Taking a bath also feels pleasant and leaves you refreshed." "Not if you take it multiple times a day, it doesn't." "I have to agree with sis here, mom." "Oh fine you two. If you don't want it so much, I won't press. Just make sure to not get yourself too dirty out there, alright? Oh, and be back by dinner!" She says as she pulls out another form for a pie. "Alright mom." I walk over to the door. "Have fun sis!" "You too!" I reply and open the door. I step onto the beautiful streets, where the Ponies are walking about their day, fillies and colts playing together some game, or another. I turn around, to look towards the castle, it's central tower rising high and proud, with the sunlight glaring off of it. A few Pegasi are flying around it, decorating it for the upcoming festival. Two banners of our 'mighty Empire', as dad called it, are hung up at the front of the castle, at each side of the balcony. I smile at the usual bright morning, suddenly: a massive shadow falls over me. I turn around. "Good morning, Bright. Happy birthday!" The giant says in a deep, rumbling voice. "Hello mr. Grey!" "I have made you a gift." One of his folded claws reaches down to me and he opens it, to reveal a small white sculpture. "Here, take it." I grab it and take a closer look. The sculpture was of me and our entire family, standing together, smiling. "Mr. Grey... how did you manage to..." "Years of practice miss Quarts. Years of practice." I look up at him, frowning. "But... I am not a miss... missy - maybe, but..." "You have turned the one hundred-forty-fourth moon cycle today, have you not? I would say: that counts as you being officially a miss." He said, showing of his fangs. ...I feel old. "Thank you, what is the sculpture made of?" "Why quartz of course. I thought, that it would fit." I look up at him, looking unamused. But eventually giggle anyway. "Thank you, I appreciate it." "You are out quite early. Have you already celebrated?" "No, my mom is just having trouble with baking. Again. So she said: I could go out and play with my friends. Have you seen any of them?" "Hmm. I think they were working on some kind of project, but I wouldn't be able to tell you. It is a secret, you see." "Oh, I see." I drop my head. "I can tell you, that they have not forgotten about your birthday however." I mumble out a response. "Hmm. This will simply not do. A child should be happy during the day of their birth. How about I give you a ride, like the old days?" "Really!? I would like that very much!" "Then hop on." The red dragon got down on all fours and allowed me, to climb up his tail. Once I was ready, he turned his neck, to look at me with one of his eyes. "Are you ready, Bright?" "Yes." I say with a nod and get a grip on him. "Then up we go." He spread the large grey wings and took off into the skies. We flew up, just below the clouds, the few Pegasi shout in surprise at our sudden appearance. Mr. Greywing can be a really fast flyer, when he wants to be, despite that his size might say otherwise. I laughed at the surprised expressions on the Ponies muzzles, as they boggled at us. They quickly collected themselves and waved to us, something which I returned in kind. My friend decides to suddenly speed ahead, which caused the cool wind to whistle past my ears. I had a huge smile on my muzzle and was laughing the entire way. We slowed down a little, as we reached the outside fields. I look down at the villages below and the Ponies working hard on their crops. I see a few glimpses of armored guards below, patrolling the pathways, some seem to look up at us passing over them. We keep flying for a while, peacefully travelling over the massive lands. Eventually: Greywing turns his head to me. "Should we head back? I still have some business to take care of, but I am not in any particular rush." "How long have we been flying for!?" "Hmm. I would say about an hour and a half, why?" "Oh yeah, let's head back! I actually need to be back by dinner!" "Hmm, yes. Food sounds good right about now actually, sadly: I do not have time." Grey sighs, releasing a small cloud of smoke, which the wind carries away. "Are you sure!? You could join us!" I suggest climbing closer to the neck. He releases a deep chuckle. "I thank you for the invitation, but I doubt: I would fit in your abode." He says, grinning wide. "Are you sure? I mean: we could like... build you a big dining room for eating with us. Or we could just eat outside, in the back?" "Heh, heh. You never change, do you Bright?" I just tilt my head and stick my tongue out at him, at which he just chuckles and shakes his head, speeding off to the main city. We approach my home and softly land. I tell him my goodbyes, step into the house then instantly jump in surprise at a loud noise. "Happy Birthday Bright!" Multiple shouts ring out. I take a look around the room and see, that it has changed. It is now decorated with various things: a banner, that has 'Happy Twelfth Birthday Bright Quarts' written on it, a game of pin the tail on the Pony was on one of the walls, a table stood in the middle, with a massive vanilla cake on it. But most importantly of all: my entire family is here. "Dad!" I jump into his hug. "He-ey sweetie! Happy birthday." "You're back." Dad looks at mom in confusion, then back to me. "Of course I am. I wouldn't miss my little gem's birthday for the world." We all take our seats at the dinner table. There is everything: cake, pies and many other sweets. I look over to dad, while he is chewing on some of the food. Mom is sitting beside me and my sister is straight across. He stops chewing for a moment and looks at me. I give a poke at my potato salad. "How's your day been? Anything interesting happened?" "It's been alright. There was rookie, that decided it was a good idea to stand up to a drill sergeant. It wasn't." He chuckles, shaking his head. "Poor fool was running the entire day. The drill sergeant sent one of his best runners, with an order to teach the private a lesson if he caught him. Of course he wouldn't actually hurt him, but the colt didn't know that." Agate laughs at the story, while mom shakes her head. "What about yours?" "Mister Greywing gave me a ride around the outskirts." "What: that's it? What about your friends: you didn't meet them?" "No. Mister Grey said, that they are busy with something. I don't know what though." "Ah. Well... They're just probably making a surprise for you." I tilt my head. "Anyway: Agate Quarts! The next morrow, we are going to practice with a sword. Make sure to get some good rest today." I look up to him. "Yay!" Agate exclaims and hugs dad. "Dad? Uh... can you also teach me?" "What? But I thought: you said, you didn't want to get training?" "...Can I at least try?" "Sure thing, Bright. I don't see why not. The next morning, at sunrise. We pack some food and head out! This is my off week: so I can spend time with you all." "Aww." Mom leans over the table and nuzzles him first, then kisses. "Ew." "Ew." Dad let's out a laugh and says: "Alright: time to make a wish." He lights up the candles on the cake, I lean over to it. I wish: that we would always be together. I blow out the candles. A loud scream sounds out.