//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6:  Shooting Stars 
// Story: Ponyville Parents Day 
// by Black Kyurem 
//------------------------------//



Later that evening at Sweet Apple Acres, after all the excitement had finally winded down, and Babs had returned to Manehattan, Applejack tucked her little sister into bed.

"Good night, Apple Bloom," said Applejack.  "If yer ever feelin' down for whatever reason, ah'll always be here for ya."

"Ah love ya, big sis," said Apple Bloom, giving her a hug from the bed.  Once Apple Bloom was asleep, Applejack went out into the orchard.  She soon came to the place where her parents had been buried, marked with two gravestones, and sighed.

"Ah miss ya both so much," whispered Applejack, as if speaking to her parents.  "Ah really wish y'all coulda been here today.  Not one day has gone by without me thinkin' about ya."  A single tear rolled down Applejack's cheek and she looked up to the starlit sky, just as two shooting stars streaked across.  "Thanks fer still bein' here...  Ah know you'll always be with me... forever."  And then suddenly, Applejack's parents appeared in spirit forms in front of their respective graves.

"We're so proud of you, Applejack," said her mother, Honey Blossom.  "And we will always love you."

"Eeyup," said Applejack's father.  Applejack smiled as more tears ran down her cheeks.  And her parents disappeared.  That's when Twilight found her.

"My student has taught me a very important and valuable lesson," said Twilight, approaching Applejack.

"Ah did?"

"Of course.  When I first heard about the death of your parents, I was crestfallen.  I thought that I couldn't bear to host Ponyville Parents Day because one of my best friends didn't have any parents to celebrate with.  But you reminded me that because you're not the only pony without parents that I shouldn't have to stop myself.  You taught me that celebrating life and family is what's really important."  Hearing this, Applejack blushed.

"Well, ah...  Yer welcome."

"And if you ever feel like you need us, we'll always be here for you.  We're always here for each other."

"That's a heartfelt promise, sugar cube.  And ah'll never forget it."  They shared a warm hug and then went their separate ways.  Twilight soon returned to the Golden Oaks Library, only to find that Spike was still up.

"Spike?" said a surprised Twilight.  "Why aren't you in bed?  Is something wrong?"

"Well..." mumbled Spike.  "This whole parents day thing kinda got me thinking... about us."

"Us?"

"That day I hatched... you were always there for me... and took care of me.  I heard about Applejack's parents...  I never knew my parents either.  I've lived with you my whole life."

"What are you saying, Spike?  You're my number one assistant and friend."

"Yeah, but...  I...  Truthfully, I... I wish I could see you as more than just my friend."  Spike started to tear up, shocking Twilight.  "I wish... I could call you my mom...  But it wouldn't feel right, would it?"  Spike started to cry and rubbed his eyes as his tears splashed onto the library floor.  Twilight was touched, but at the same time, she felt sorry for her little friend.

"Oh, Spike..." she whispered.  "Spike, come here."  Spike ran into Twilight's embrace and wept on her shoulder.  "It's okay, Spike.  It's okay.  You're right, I've always been here for you, especially when you needed me most.  Spike, if you want to call me 'mom'... you can.  I promise I won't think of you any differently.  We've been through everything together... and we will always be together... no matter what.  I love you, Spike."

"I love you too...  Mom..."




THE END