“Thanks for coming out to help me with this Dad.” Sparkler said.
“Not a problem kiddo.” Thundercracker said. “I’m excited for my grandkids to have as much fun on this fort as you did.” He said.
Applejack, who was working with them, poked her head out from behind a pile of wood. “So you built this in just SEVEN hours Mr. Thundercracker?” She asked.
“Yep. I did.” Thundercracker responded. “For Sparkler’s 7th birthday.”
“I loved this thing when I was a kid. Flappy and I would play on it every day.” Sparkler said.
“Squawk! Ya know it! Squawk!” Flappy said as he and his three kids flew out from within the fort wearing hard hats.
“How did this thing come about if I may ask?” Applejack asked.
“Well, it all started the day before. When the kids were being extra mean to her…” Thundercracker said.
In KiliHima Village, years ago, little Sparkler was out at recess with her fellow students. Her class was playing on the playground, and Sparkler was sitting at a table away from the crowd using her magic to manipulate a pair of plushies that she had brought with her to entertain herself. “Come on Space Ranger. Let’s save the galaxy.” She said in a lower voice. Switching to a higher pitch for the next bit of dialogue. “Yes sir Commander Star. We’ll beat those bad guys no prob—“
That was as far as she got before she felt the all too familiar impact of an egg in the back of her head. The egg broke and spilled egg yolk on her, and left the shell pieces stuck to her mane. “Hey horned chicken! Here are more of your eggs back!” She heard a familiar voice.
Sparkler winced when she heard that. “Leave me alone Galvin.” She told her assailant.
“Aww. But I just wanted to make sure you knew where you came from. You’d probably forget otherwise.” The colt named Galvin responded.
“I know where I came from. Mommy and Daddy brought me into the world.” Sparkler said.
“Is that so? I bet they were disappointed when they saw they didn’t have a normal filly. Instead of being stuck with a horned chicken.” Galvin said. “I bet they wanted to put you up for adoption but took pity on you.” He said.
Sparkler gasped and her eyes watered, the colt had never said anything like that. “Th-they love me. I know they do.” She said, resisting the urge to cry as she felt more eggs hit her.
“I bet you they don’t. They just feel sorry for you.” Galvin responded.
And that got tears to come out of Sparkler’s eyes as Galvin just laughed. “In fact, I doubt they’re even your real parents. It’s more likely your parents are a pair of chickens.” He added.
Galvin proceeded to taunt Sparkler and make fun of her while still pelting her with eggs.
Later that day, after school had ended and she could get away from the bullies. Sparkler ran home as fast as her little legs could carry her, eyes wet.
She made it home, and before Flappy, her mom, or her dad could say anything to her, she ran into her room and slammed the door shut.
Flappy saw his owner disappear into her room and immediately became concerned. “Squeak! Ok. What did those idiots do to her this time? Squeak!” He asked as he flapped his wings and took to the air. Thundercracker and Aurora approached the door and knocked.
“Sparkler?” Aurora asked. “Can we come in honey?” She asked.
No response, but the three of them could hear the little filly crying her eyes out. Flappy grabbed at the doorknob and turned it to open the door. The door opened and they saw Sparkler hugging her pillow, crying into it.
Flappy immediately flew and landed near Sparkker’s head. “Squeak! Hey. Sparkler, please don’t cry. It’s ok. Squeak!” He said.
Aurora and Thundercracker walked in and approached the bed. “Sparkler? What’s wrong sweetie?” Aurora asked.
They heard muffled words in between sobs. Flappy raised an eyebrow. “Squeak! What was that Sparkler? Squeak!” He asked.
After a few seconds, Sparkler lifted her head off the pillow just enough that they could understand her. “Do you love me?” She asked her parents.
Aurora and Thundercracker glanced at each other, before giving Sparkler confused looks. “W-what?” Thundercracker asked. Not sure if he heard right. “What was that sweetie?” He asked.
“Do you love me?” Sparkler asked.
Flappy, Aurora, and Thundercracker all gave each other surprised and perplexed looks. By golly they actually heard right! “W-what kind of question is that of COURSE we love you.” Aurora responded. Pulling Sparkler into a hug. “We’ve loved you since the day we found out you were on the way.
“Squeak! And do you really think I’d submit myself to domestication if I didn’t LOVE being your pet? Squeak!” Flappy asked.
“R-really?” Sparkler asked. Sniffling.
“Of course Sweetie.” Thundercracker responded. “And we always will. No matter what might happen.” He added.
Sparkler looked up at her parents, who were smiling at her. She sniffled again before nodding, burying herself in her mother’s embrace.
After a moment, Flappy spoke up. “Squeak! Now, what the hay did those idiots do to make you question if we loved you or not? Squeak!” Flappy asked Sparkler.
Sparkler shivered and gulped, before telling them what happened.
“He actually said that to a 6 year old who was already being chastised by basically everypony around her?” Applejack asked. “I’m surprised ya didn’t deck’em Sparkler.” She said.
“Oh I WANTED to. You have no idea how many times I wanted to turn all those idiots inside out for everything AJ.” Sparkler responded. “But I also knew that if I did I’d be in just as much trouble.” She said.
“Darn.” AJ responded. “Well at least you had Flappy Aurora and Thundercracker.” She said.
“Yeah. Shame that Fleur wasn’t around back then.” Thundercracker responded. “Sparkler sure as hay coulda used her in school.”
Sparkler nodded. “Yep. That is accurate.” She said. “But hey. Least I know she’s my sister now. Better late then never.” She said
AJ nodded. “So how did this fort come into play?” She asked.
“To show Sparkler how much we loved her, Aurora and I worked for hours to put this fort together so that when she came home from school the next day, she’d be able to play on it right away.” Thundercracker responded.
“I was so happy when I came home that day.” Sparkler responded. “Granted I was already in a lighter mood because that colt was absent and I had gotten to eat a very nice cupcake made by Ms. Nook at recess. But the moment I registered who this thing was for I was so excited. All the imaginary adventures my little 7 year old brain could come up with.” She said.
“Squeak! And now it’s time for a new generation of fun imaginary adventures. Squeak!” Pecker said.
“Squawk! Precisely. Squawk!” Flappy responded.
“Just needs a few upgrades to account for the 11 ponies and three chicks that’re going to be using this thing.” Sparkler responded.
“Well I’m sure yer kids’ll love it Sparkler.” Applejack said.
“Oh I hope they do. And if Sprinkle, Pedal, and Mystic DON’T tell their siblings about this I’ll be surprised.” Sparkler chuckled. Wondering how long it would take for her three clone daughters to peer through the mental link.
To be continued…