//------------------------------// // Chapter 40 // Story: I Love the Star in You // by Twilyx360 //------------------------------// Five years later. Argyle didn’t want to completely erase his wife from their family history. So he put all of her belongings in a chest in the attic. Her photographs, her research references, descriptions and most importantly the book they both wrote about their time together a literal scrapbook of the once happy couple. All would be put in a special chest. Now a more personal treasure. He figured it would be best for Sunny to not know for now. But he did write a note to her on the chest saying. “Do not open until you’re eighteen.” Though this didn’t stop Sunny from questioning who Shining Star was. But Argyle kept her at just the right distance. She didn’t know she was a unicorn or her mother. The most she knew. She was a research partner. Argyle was still determined for her to know about her mom. Absolutely. But he knew it had to come at the right time. And he knew what that time was all too well. The spark. After he finished storing things in the attic he came back down to his work desk to work on his latest project. A lantern for Sunny. A merry go round to help her sleep at night. It was a perfect little gift for her. She had proven to be a little ball of joy and wonder when she got older. But more importantly it was a secret safeguard device for holding the one crystal they were able to keep their hooves on. The earth pony crystal. Sunny may not have known about the magic crystal. But she would love the light it would give off. As he finished painting up the pony figure on the side of the lantern. Sunny, Hitch Trailblazer and Sprout Cloverleaf came down from the lift playing with the six pony figures. === Eight years later. Shortly after Sunny’s sixteenth birthday. A massive Hurricane was approaching maretime bay. Sunny and Argyle already prepared for it several days in advance. But Argyle secretly had other plans. Sunny was now old enough to take care of herself. And Argyle made a promise to Shining Star to find her again. And a rough Hurricane was the perfect cover for him to escape. One day before the Hurricane was supposed to hit Maretime bay. Argyle agreed to join Hitch Trailblazer and his storm pony troop to further fortify the bay area if the sandbags and trenches overflowed. He would be out in the middle of the storm and sneak away as soon as he had the chance. He was ultimately accepted and he was about to head out for the night. Before he told Sunny goodbye and that he loved her. And that he would be back soon. Hurricane… Armageddon began. The storm was extremely rough and violent. Hitch and Sprout just barely managing to keep up the bags. Argyle immediately jumped down to help them but a wave hit his face. And he was washed up against the beach ramp. “Mr. Starscout!” Shouted Hitch running over to him. Argyle faked a slip on the ramp and the wind blew him upwards. He held onto the railing before standing on the street above again. He started running across the street towards the bay’s exit. But just then he saw a massive board being blown over to the lighthouse. “Sunny!” He shouted running back to the lighthouse. And he finally got there watching the board blowing it’s way towards him when suddenly everything went slower. -Internal- “I grew up in a life of hatred. Is this where it ends me? Protecting my precious and sweet daughter Sunny? For her? Is she even where I think she’ll be? If I don’t make it out? Is this how the world remembers me? Can Sunny even see me? What if Sunny is my legacy? Legacy? Who is she? She’s a spark of friendship I might never get to see. I wrote some notes of how me and Shining Star were meant to be. Equestria! You great land, you were right about everything. You let me make a difference in a place where even an earth pony like me can… Attention! Eyes up! Shining Star… my love. I’m coming for you. And… So will Sunny Starscout…” -End Internal thoughts- Argyle cried as he whispered. “Do you know you’re all my very best…” The board approached him. “WAIT!” He screamed before it hit him. Argyle was in the air. Flying high above maretime bay. He did it and he saved Sunny & the lighthouse. Instead of going right into it. The board went straight up into the air taking him with it. Then he fell off, sky diving into the nearby forest below. He kept going down, down and down. Just as a bolt of lightning struck the giant board still in the air. Destroying it and unleashing a rumbling sound of thunder. Argyle kept diving, And going, and further. Until at last he crashed right into the forest trees. Right where he wanted to be. === The next day the Hurricane ended. Argyle was declared missing. What happened to him? Nopony knew. But wherever he was. He made a promise to his family and to equestria. One way or another he would keep it. And Sunny Starscout? She was deeply saddened by the loss. But proud of the sacrifice. Hitch had told her about the whole ordeal and how he saved her before the giant board crashed into the house. And she realized the only way to honor her father was to finally finish his work. And spread the love and friendship he always knew she could spread to all of equestria. And who knew. He could still be around? Or was he? It was a glimmer of hope that ultimately motivated and paid off for Sunny. As she had kept her promise for her Dad. She really was the Spark of Friendship equestria needed. But that was a whole other story. One out of many to come. Hoof to Heart & Friendship is Magic. The End.