Twilight smiled as she rested a box on top of another in her office in the School of Friendship. Fluttershy and Pinkie, Starlight, Spike, and Rainbow also set boxes down. “So, let me get this straight.” Rainbow said. “You and Sparkler are going to merge her house, with your castle, so that your six kids can all have their own rooms. And also have the best of what both your places offer?” She asked.
“Eeyup.” Twilight said. “That’s exactly what we’re doing. As such we’re gonna move everything irreplaceable out of both houses. And then go ahead with the merge.” She explained.
“And then you’re going to live under one roof!” Pinkie exclaimed. “We are so going to have a party for this!” She exclaimed happily.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea.” Fluttershy said. “I bet the house will look nice as the base of the castle.”
“Oh I think it will.” Twilight responded. “I’m so excited!” She exclaimed.
Everypony around her chuckled. “Speaking of the kids. What’s gonna happen with them as far as Family Services is concerned?” Rainbow asked.
“Yeah. I heard Sparkler had a meeting with them.” Starlight commented.
“They’re going to draw up the paperwork for their adoption and send it to us to file with Town Hall next week.” Twilight explained.
“Does that make sense though?” Spike asked. “Like Melody, yeah she was adopted. But her siblings literally didn’t exist until a few days ago. You two signed their birth certificates. Wouldn’t that make them legally your blood kin?” Spike asked.
“There’s a lot of technicalities Spike.” Twilight explained. “Yes they are Sparkler’s blood kin, but they also have the memory of an orphanage, and they’re Melody’s blood relatives. So the only reason Sparkler and I signed the birth certificates is because we were the only ones who COULD sign them.
“So for the sake of being asked as few questions as possible. Here’s how the story goes. Melody was foalnapped, her siblings got sent to Sparkler’s home village to keep them safe, Sparkler and I adopted them when we adopted Melody, Kilihima’s records of them were lost permanently, which is why we had to get new birth certificates.” Twilight explained.
Everypony glanced at each other. “Ok. I’d buy that.” Starlight said. “And Melody’s NEW birth certificate? How do you explain that?” She asked.
“Shadow Wind said that her gender and species change through this experience warrants a new Birth Certificate, and again, Sparkler and I were the only ones who COULD sign it.” Twilight responded.
Fluttershy smiled. “Sounds like you have all the bases covered.” She observed.
“By now I’m sure word’s spreading that there are now six more Alicorns. We’re hoping that this story will deter ponies from digging too deep into it.” Twilight explained.
“I think it will.” Spike said. “I mean, they’re related to you by adoption so that alone should deter ponies.”
“They’re also related to Sparkler. And unlike me, Sparkler doesn’t have the accolades I do to protect her from scrutiny. As we’ve learned from Silver-Mane.” It was not lost how much Twilight hated even saying his name.
“Grrr. If I ever get my hooves on him I’ll show him what for!” Rainbow stated.
“I’m looking forward to the announcement denouncing Silver-Mane.” Spike said. “It’s gonna be real hard to wipe that smile off future Spike’s face.”
“Yeah.” Twilight responded. It was true that she was happy about the upcoming address by Celestia. Because it would mean one less Noble who could do anything against Sparkler without much fear of consequences.
Meanwhile, at Sparkler’s house, while the kids were playing with their toys in the living room, Sparkler herself was in the kitchen surrounded by a bunch of boxes. She was opening cabinets and drawers and trying to figure out what she should pack up, what she couldn’t because she was still living here, and what she was willing to risk losing. She opened up another cabinet and pulled out a stack full of plates. “Hmm…I bet Twilight has plates, but with about a dozen new mouths to feed it would probably be good to increase that number.” She said as she halved the stack and put one half in a box and another half back in the cabinet to use for dinner.
Right at that moment, the radio she was listening to switched from music to a show host. “And that was Airwave’s hit song Illusion! Brought to you by Sparkling Harmony Records, and what a segue into our top story today. The story of the incident at this year’s Yule Ball is continuing to spread everyday. During the event, Non-Royal Alicorn Sparkling Medley was thrown out of the event by prominent Noble Silver-Mane, who was placed under arrest immediately afterwards.
“This incident, which prompted the canceling of the event by Princess Celestia, is only the latest in the Nobles’ campaign against Medley. Which spawned from her decision to remain out of royalty, with Silver-Mane being the most vocal. We reached out to Nobles for comment. Only one got back to us. Sir Fancypants.”
“This year’s Yule Ball was a disaster. And just the latest in what is in mine and My wife Fleur Dis-Lee’s opinion, an unjust crusade to force a pony onto an unwanted pedestal solely because of her species. The Nobles partaking in this ridiculous endeavor are acting like immature brats who do not appear to understand that Sparkling Medley CAN in fact be an Alicorn without being royalty. Those two concepts are independent of each other. You can be one without the other, even if it is not the norm. To all those listening. I implore you, if you actually support the Nobles responsible for this harassment, if you actually support this nonsense, I implore you to rethink your decision. Because it is Sparkling Medley’s life and we do not have the right to tell her how to live her life.”
Sparkler’s eyes were wide at Fancypants’ statement as the host returned.
“As news of the incident is spreading like wildfire. Every day, more and more ponies continue to publicly voice their denouncing of the Nobles and showing overwhelming support for Sparkling Medley, with some even calling for the Nobility to be stripped of their power and influence. Princess Celestia is expected to address the nation early next week concerning this incident. But it appears Equestria has chosen its side in the Nobles Vs. Medley Saga—“
Sparkler lit her horn and turned off the radio. Her eyes widened and mouth agape. Equestria has chosen its side… She almost could not believe it. If this was Saddle Arabia then she was certain nopony would be on her side. But here in Equestria…
At that moment, her horn tingled to signal a Horn Pulse.
Rarity: Darling! Did you hear the news on the Radio just now? Nopony is buying the Nobles’ nonsense! They’re all on your side!
Sparkler: Yeah…it sounds like they are.
Rarity: See darling? This is another example. Equestria is not Saddle Arabia. The population here actually have two functioning brain cells for the most part.
Sparkler wasn’t sure if Rarity was expecting a response, but she didn’t know if she could concentrate long enough to send one. She was too busy reeling from what she just heard. Overwhelming support…
“Hey mom?” Sparkler nearly jumped. She glanced over over box to see Her kids standing there, probably having just heard the Radio.
“Yes sweeties?” She asked. “What is it?“
“Who’s this Silver-Mane guy that threw you out?” Trail asked.
“Nopony you need to know about Lumber.” Sparkler responded.
“Are you sure?” Sky asked.
“Yea Sky. I’m sure. Just…go back to what—“ Loud knocking on the door interrupted Sparkler.
Confused, Sparkler hopped over the box, walked to the door, and had to stand on her hind legs to peer through the peephole. Standing outside she saw Airwave and Lyrica. And judging by the looks on their faces, they knew what happened at the Yule Ball. Sparkler glanced at her kids. “Hey Kids, how about you go upstairs for a few? I’ll call you down after I talk privately with our guests.” She told them.
“Who are they?” Trail asked.
“Airwave and Lyrica. Please, just go upstairs until I call you back down.” Sparkler told them.
The look on her face told the kids this wasn’t up for debate. So they nodded and all proceeded upstairs. Once they were gone, Sparkler took a deep breath, turned back to the door, and opened it. “Hey guys!” She said happily.
At first, Airwave and Lyrica didn’t see the state Sparkler was in. After Sparkler opened the door to let them in, they walked in and started talking.
“Sparkler! We heard the radio broadcast at SugarCube Corner. Is it true?” Lyrica asked.
“I knew those Nobles were no good crooks but to go this far is—“ Airwave and Lyrica stopped when their brains caught up with their eyes and they took in the state that Sparkler was in. They realized they were looking down at a foal who looked undoubtedly like Sparkler. But the last time they saw her she was bigger.
“…I’m guessing you have quite a story to tell.” Airwave deduced.
Sparkler nodded. “Yeah. How was your Hearths Warming?” She asked the two.
“It was good. Spent a couple days at my parent’s house and then went to the hive.” Lyrica replied.
“But something tells me that doesn’t hold a candle to your Hearths Warming.” Airwave said.
“Yeah. Probably not.” Sparkler said. “I’ll tell you what happened. But please, let me finish, and afterwards I have a favor to ask.” She said.
“Sure thing Sparkler.” Lyrica said.
Sparkler nodded, and told the whole story. Beginning with Flurry’s Sneeze, including what happened at the Yule Ball, and telling them about Kicker and how she was now an Alicorn Filly named Melody Sparklehearts with five Alicorn Siblings that believe they have always been around. She also briefly explained the possible reason why she was now a five year old temporarily.
Airwave and Lyrica listened to Sparkler’s tale. And at the end of it, their eyes were wide. “…Huh.” Airwave said finally.
“Calling it eventful would be an understatement.” Lyrica commented.
“Yes.” Sparkler said. “A strange holiday indeed. But now I need to ask a favor of you. Melody’s siblings believe they have always been here. I need you to pretend like that’s the case. To avoid their feelings being hurt.” She said.
“Uh…sure.” Airwave said. “Yeah we can do that.”
Lyrica nodded. “And hey. It’s great that Melody has siblings to play with.” She said. “I bet they’re cute.”
Sparkler smiled. “Thank you guys. I know this all sounds crazy. But…well you have working eyes. You can see it right here that it’s not just a story.” She said.
“Crazy. Yes.” Airwave said. “But I for one never doubted it was false.”
“It doesn’t sound like a story one can write.” Lyrica commented.
Sparkler nodded. “Alright. Now that that’s done. I’ll call down the kids.”
She called down the kids. And after fawning over how cute they were, Airwave and Lyrica’s visit very quickly turned into a karaoke jam session. Sparkler very quickly turned into a crying hysteric at how amazing Melody’s siblings sounded. Of course that was probably a given seeing as how Melody’s siblings quite literally were spawned from Melody herself. At least Melody still has her Cutie Mark. She was relieved when she saw the mark on Melody’s flank. She was half afraid that it had literally been reset, which she had once joked about. Hmm. I wonder what Cutie Marks her siblings will get… She thought as her boys rocked out with Airwave.
To be continued…