Sunset woke up after another night of good dreams. She looked over at her calendar and saw that it read 31st of July. Her eleventh birthday. She jumped out of bed with excitement and rushed to the bathroom to quickly get ready for the day. She then ran down the stairs to the dining room to see Celestia and Sombra already sitting at the table which was laden with waffles and pancakes.
“Happy Birthday, Sunset,” Sombra and Celestia said together.
“Thank you,” Sunset smiled before looking again at the table. “Wow, that all looks so good.”
“Of course. Had to make the best for the birthday girl,” Sombra said. “We have choc chip waffles and blueberry pancakes, along with a strawberry and banana smoothie, your favourites.”
“Yum,” Sunset drooled. She sat down and started eating.
“Now, to start off, here is your first present,” Celestia said, pushing a small wrapped box towards Sunset. “You’ll get the other ones later when everyone is here.”
“Wow, it’s beautiful,” Sunset said after she had unwrapped the box and opened it to reveal two charm bracelets, one had a sun charm on it and the other had a phoenix. And there was plenty of room for more charms.
“We got two, one from each of us, so there was room for charms from not just us but your friends as well,” Celestia explained.
“Thank you. I love them,” Sunset said, before walking around to hug both adults. As they hugged, none of them notice the quick glow of magic on both charms.
“Your welcome, sweetie,” Sombra said, sharing a look with Celestia, both thinking about the extra special present they were going to give Sunset at the party.
“Cannonball!” Rainbow shouted as she jumped into the pool.
Sunset’s birthday party was in full swing. It was decided to hold it in and around the King’s backyard pool. All of Sunset’s friends were there, from Pinkie Pie to Lyra Heartstrings. Sunset was currently sitting in the shade with Rarity and Fluttershy.
“I must say, your charm bracelets are absolutely gorgeous,” Rarity commented, as she looked at the bracelets.
“Thanks,” Sunset said, sipping her soda. “I can’t wait to see what everyone got me.”
“Well, it shouldn’t be too long,” Fluttershy said. “I think it’s almost time for dinner and afterwards we’re going to give our gifts to you.”
“Sweet,” Sunset said before talking about the plans for the rest of the summer.
And just like Fluttershy said, dinner came and when. Celestia and Pinkie had baked a large double chocolate cake, Sunset’s favourite. Then came the gifts, from Pinkie Pie a book of jokes. Rainbow gave her a year long pass for the sports centre. Rarity gave her a voucher book for the spa. Fluttershy’s gift was a surprise. It was a snowy owl.
“Mom and I found her after she protected a litter of kittens from some feral dogs. We tried release her, but she did not want to go. We notice the last time you helped at the shelter that she did not take her eyes off you; we think she might be your familiar,” she explained.
Sunset looked at the owl, “Were you waiting for me?” she asked her. The owl simply nodded, as to say ‘yes’. “Well, you help protect a litter of kitten orphans, so I’m going to name you after the patron saint of orphans, Hedwig.” The newly named Hedwig started to hop from foot to foot, happy for the new name.
From Applejack, Sunset got two more charms for her bracelets, an apple and a tree.
“I heard about the bracelets and decided to get you some more charms for them,” Applejack said.
“Thank AJ,” Sunset thanked her, place the apple next to the sun and tree next to the phoenix. Once again, unknown to everyone a slight glow of magic surrounded the new charms for a split second.
“And now for our final gift,” Sombra announced, as Celestia joined him in front of Sunset. “After talking with each other and getting the correct items, we wanted to give you this.”
Sunset was given a small potion and a sheet of paper. It took a few moments for Sunset to comprehend that the paper was an adoption form. She looked up at Celestia and Sombra, who were smiling.
“Is this…?” she couldn’t find the words.
“Yes, Sunset. We would like to adopt you, if you will have us,” Celestia explained. “The potion is there for if you decided to also be Blood adopted.”
“Don’t worry, it’s one of the blood adoption potions that doesn’t change the recipient’s appearance,” Sombra added. “But only if you want to, it’s your choice. Take as much time to think about it.”
Sunset didn’t need to think about it. “Yes, a million times yes,” Sunset with a blinding smile. “I love to be adopted by you, both on paper and by blood. Mom. Dad.”
Both adults started to tear up at being called that. Their dreams of having a family now realised. The new parents and soon-to-be daughter came in for a giant family hug. They did have to pull apart when they heard sobbing. They looked over to see Bright Mac in tears.
“It’s just so beautiful,” He cried, as his wife patted him on the back.
“So,” Sunset started. “Can we do the potion now or is there a ritual that has to be done.”
“Actually, Chrys said we just have to put a drop of our and your blood into the potion, say a few words and you drink it.” Sombra explained. “It will take a night for the potion to kick in, but it is painless.”
“And of course, we do have to sign the paper,” Celestia said. “If you want to do it now, that’s fine.”
And so, they all signed the paper, and then stood in a circle as all their family and friends looked on. Chrys came over to read out what they had to say, if they did as they place a drop of blood in the potion. Just as Sunset was about to drink the potion a bright light shone in front of the crowd, and a transparent figure appeared. She had red hair and green eyes.
“Who are you?” Celestia asked, placing herself between Sunset and the spectre. However, Chrys having seen the photos in files, recognised her.
“Wait! You’re…” She started.
“Yes,” The spectre replied. “I’m Lily Potter.”
“You’re…You’re my mom,” Sunset stammered.
“Yes, sweetheart, I was your mom,” Lily answered.
“May I ask why you are here?” Sombra asked.
“I’m here to strengthen this adoption by giving my blessing,” she said.
“Your blessing? You don’t mind?” Sunset questioned.
“Yes,” Lily replied. “I will always be the mother who birthed you, but I have since passed my time, so it’s only right that you have another mother who can care for you when I cannot.”
“Thank you…mom,” Sunset said, tearing running down her face.
“Do not cry, my little flower,” Lily smiled. “You’re about to be adopted by a good couple. This is a happy day.” She turned to Sombra and Celestia. “Please take good care of my daughter.”
“We will,” They agreed in unison.
Lily gave Sunset a hug as she started to fade away. “Have a good life, Harriet and Happy Birthday,” she said before she disappeared.
After a moment of silence for Lily Potter, they finished the adoption with Sunset drinking the potion. They then spent the next few hours celebrating both Sunset’s birthday and adoption. Sunset was still smiling as her new mom and dad tucked her into bed.
“Goodnight, Mom,” She said. “Goodnight, Dad.”
“Goodnight, little phoenix,” Sombra said as he hugged her, then Celestia kissed her on the forehead before they left the room.
As Sunset fell asleep, she looked over to her bedside table where her bracelets were. I have a new mom and dad, she thought. I know there will be obstacles in the future, but we’ll get through them as a family. She smiled as she drifted to dreamland.
As everyone went to sleep, something was happening beyond the CHS portal, in a cave where a tree made of crystal sat. Unbeknown to everyone, under the tree, among its roots, a gem in the shape of a two-toned sun had grown. If you looked closely, you could see the shadow image of a phoenix in the middle of the gem.
Suddenly, the sun glowed, and a root started to grow from it. On the end of the root grew an apple shaped gem, and just like the sun, a shadowed image of a tree appeared in the middle of it. Unbeknown to everyone, over the coming years, more gems would grow from the sun, awaiting the time when their owners would need them most.