//------------------------------//
// Capitulo Dieciseis 
// Story: Kick about! Los Lobos! 
// by Dirty Bit 
//------------------------------//


Capitulo Deiciseis


Blending In


The outside of the wrecked house was quiet, until the door opened to reveal Sparkler, who looked around with suspicious eyes before she trotted outside and brushed off her chest nonchalantly "Okay then. Off to the park..." She said to herself in a calm tone. A groaning was heard, and Sparkler looked back to see Noteworthy rubbing his head "You there. Do you know where I can find 'the park'?"

Noteworthy looked up and noticed Sparkler "Huh?" He looked around with a perplexed expression on his face "What am I doing back in Ponyville? Am I dreaming?"

Sparkler frowned "No. I've answered your question, now can you answer mine?"

Noteworthy stared at Sparkler before pointing his right hoof away. Sparkler nodded with a satisfied smile "Much obliged. You can go back to your own work now..." She said as she trotted off.

The blue stallion finally managed to stop his migraine, but grew confused at Sparkler's response "...Work? But I was on vacation!" Noteworthy noticed how half of Ponyville was demolished, astonished at the amount of collateral damage "Whoa...What happened here?" He whispered to himself

Sparkler trotted to the park at a decent pace, ignoring those around her while she made her way towards her desired area. When she arrived, she decided to stand under a tree when she found no sign of Dinky or Lilynette.

"Hey, sis!"

The amethyst unicorn looked behind her to see Dinky and Lilynette, the latter carrying a toolbox over her back. They stopped in front of Sparkler, and the purple filly smiled "We got the tools now. Where do we start?"

Lilynette frowned "You better not give us a boring job." She said in a warning tone.

Sparkler thought to herself 'Of course...This one was occupied with these two brats. Perhaps I should humor them since I'm only biding my time...' She held up a hoof "I believe we're needed around..." Sparkler looked around the park, then spotted another wrecked house west of the tree the three stood under as she pointed her hoof "That area over there. Why don't we get started?"

Dinky nodded "Okay." She turned to Lilynette "Are you ready to help Ponyville, Lily."

Lilynette shrugged "If you are, then so am I."

Sparkler arched an eyebrow at Lilynette 'This filly seems interesting...But why?' She shook off her reverie and piped up "Right then. Let's get to it." She said as the trio of unicorns made their way towards the wrecked house; The mailbox somehow remained intact.

Lilynette dropped the tool box from her back and looked up at the house "What a mess. And we have to do this with every single one?"

Dinky looked around to see smoldering areas where houses once stood and frowned "I think that we might have to rebuild everything that got ruined." She turned to the others "So what will we do with this house?"

Sparkler pointed a hoof "We'll start with the interior and work our way towards the outside. Simple as that." The two fillies agreed without complaint and went inside as Sparkler stayed behind. After sighing to herself, she went to step in, only to be met with a familiar pegasus blurring into existence next to her, startling her "What in Tartarus!?"

Starrk studied the envelope "I think I'm at the right place..." He looked up to see that the house he stood in front of was wrecked, frowning in disappointment "Great...Looks like another pony I'll have to track down in Ponyville..." He said as he stashed the envelope away in his bag. Starrk looked to his right to see Sparkler regarding him with a bewildered expression that turned into irritation "Oh...Hey, Sparkler. What are you doing here?"

Sparkler scoffed "In case you haven't noticed, Starrk..." She emphasized the former espada's name "Me, Dinky, and Lilynette were about to get started on this house. I was about to make my way in until you came along and surprised me with your presence."

Starrk hummed "Is that right? Sorry if I bothered you. I'm just busy with this mail..."

Dinky and Lilynette peered out of the front door "Hey, Sparkler! You coming or not?" The red filly called out, then noticed Starrk "Oh, hey there, Starrk. Are you gonna try and help us, too?" She asked inquisitively.

Starrk shook his head to answer Lilynette's question. Meanwhile, Dinky studied the mailbags on Starrk's body and awed at how one of them was completely empty "Wow, Mr. Starrk, you're almost done with your first shift!" Dinky stated as she beamed at the former espada.

Lilynette smirked "I see you're actually working for once. Good for you, Starrk."

Starrk nodded "I think I might help out with cleaning the wreckage when I'm done, even if it is a bit of a pain..."

Sparkler huffed "How sweet of you." She stated halfheartedly "Now if you don't mind, we're busy here."

Dinky waved at Starrk with a smile "We'll see you soon, Mr. Starrk. Good luck on your mail run!"

Lilynette pointed a hoof "Just hurry back as soon as you can. And you better not be late!"

Starrk scoffed at Lilynette's childish remark and blurred out with his Sonido, going back to his route. Sparkler scowled at where he once stood 'This makes no sense...He simply winks out of sight without even flapping his wings. Unless he were some alicorn in disguise, there could be more to this 'Starrk' pony...I must know if he's as strong as those ponies claim when I get the time...' She turned to the two fillies "Well? What are you two waiting for? Aren't we going to fix this house?"

Dinky looked up and notted at Sparkler "Right." She turned to Lilynette "Let's get to it, sis!" The two fillies vigorously went back inside and unloaded the tool box as they sorted through each instrument and wondered which one would work best for their job.

Sparkler watched and sighed inexasperation 'This is why I despise children. They're too simple-minded these days...' She said as she trotted inside and went to get started cleaning herself.
_____

Starrk was making ample progress with his mail run despite the many detours he had to make due to some of the buildings being leveled and other ponies having to work. However, while he delivered the mail in his bag, he couldn't help but feel like he was being watched.

The former espada landed in front of the day spa and placed the set of envelopes in their mailbox. He looked around when he felt a gust of wind brush through his mane. At first he thought it was Rainbow Dash, but he would've been able to spot her by her prismatic trail she somehow leaves behind in her flight. It was something else, and he hoped that it wasn't what he was thinking of.

After giving his surroundings a courtesy scan, Starrk activated his Sonido and instantly found himself at Sweet Apple Acres, where he trotted up to the mailbox next to the homestead and went to insert the envelopes.

"Howdy!"

Starrk flinched, then looked behind him to see an elderly green mare smiling at him "Oh...Hey there. Are you the owner of this place?"

The mare chuckled "Dern tootin'. What can Ah do ya fer, sonny?"

Starrk shook his head "Nothing. I just thought you were someone else." He turned back to the mailbox and left the mail inside of it "That's one less problem to deal with..."

The elderly mare cocked her head to the side "Mare trouble?"

Starrk turned to face the elderly mare and stared in silence. Could this one be more knowledgeable than she looked? "Who are you?"

Smiling, the mare introduced herself "Granny Smith's th' name! Ah heard some things about ya from Applejack."

Starrk hummed "I see...Well, it was nice seeing you, but I gotta go."

Another gust of wind blew through his hair, and he darted his eyes before blurring out with his Sonido, startling Granny Smith, who scratched her head after witnessing his immense speed "Well ain't that a peach..." She muttered to herself before trotting into her home.

Meanwhile, Starrk continued to make each stop as quickly as possible, in the hopes of avoiding whatever was passing by him with deft movement. He was gradually feeling threatened with each moment; the flowing wind around him began to grow more and more unbearable until he finally stopped back at the post office, where he decided to take a short break and see if he can spot whatever was following him. He darted his head all around until he noticed there were no gusts of wind around him. After heaving a sigh, he went to leave...

"Glomp from above!"

Starrk's eyes widened and he looked up to see a pink mass quickly close in and latch onto his back. He grunted, then groaned in complaint while he was being hugged by a giggling earth pony "What do you want, Pinkie Pie?" He asked begrudingly.

Pinkie smiled "Just wanted to say hi. Oh, and thanks, too; I never thought I had the chance to throw a party with Princess Celestia as one of the guests!" She then examined Starrk while she rested on her back "What I don't get is how you're able to give birth to a filly."

Starrk did not face Pinkie while he beared an expression of impatience and reluctance "What are you getting at?"

Pinkie rolled over so that her back was touching Starrk's as she looked up "I mean you - a stallion - gave birth to Lilynette, who's a filly! How's that possible? Was there some kind of weird moment where you found a special somepony and she somehow hexed you into having kids?"

Starrk remained quiet, and nearly felt the urge to use his Sonido and let Pinkie fall to the ground while he resumed his job. Why does she have to show so much interest with him? "I already told you that I split my soul apart...Lilynette is a part of me." He explained in a tone laced with mild irritation "Why should it matter anyways?"

Pinkie frowned "Well, whoever heard of a stallion giving birth to a filly? Yeah, you said you split your soul apart, but you technically gave birth to Lilynette, so you're like a father to her!" She rolled over again and smiled at Starrk despite his rising irritation "But you're right; I shouldn't get too personal." She tilted her head "Can I ask you another question before you get back to work?"

Starrk paused before shifting his eyes back towards Pinkie "What is it?" He asked cautiously.

Pinkie grinned "When's your birthday?" She then felt herself floating in the air before she fell to the ground. Pinkie got up and looked around when she spotted no sign of Starrk "Aw, ponyfeathers. He's gone." She then shrugged "Oh well! Guess that means I'll have to try harder! And I think I know just the pony to turn to~..." The party pony quipped cheerfully as she pronked away to parts unknown.
_____

Derpy flew across Ponyville, delivering her own mail, though sighed at her pace 'I wish I was as fast as Starrk sometimes. His Sonido thingy was a shoe-in for his job! Maybe I should find a time to exercise with him later...' When she landed at Berry Punch's house, she placed the mail in her mailbox and went to leave until she noticed a certain pink party pony pronking pleasantly her way. She stopped in front of him, and they both smiled "Hi, Pinkie Pie! Whacha doin'?"

Pinkie rolled her eyes left and right "Oh, you know, this and that." She focused on Derpy "Can I ask you a few things involving Starrky?"

Derpy's eyes rotated "Sure you can! What do you wanna know?"

Pinkie grinned "You know when his birthday is?"

Derpy frowned "Oh, now that you mention it...I don't know..." She then smiled "But I do know how to wake him up if he's sleeping too much!"

Pinkie blinked with intrigue "Really? Can you tell me?" She asked vigorously.

Derpy held up a hoof "You just gotta give him some sugar!"

Pinkie tilted her head and pulled out a measuring cup full of sugar out of nowhere "Like this?"

Derpy shook her head "Nonono, the OTHER sugar!"

Pinkie stared before she was struck with realization "Ooooooooh~..." She hummed to herself as she rubbed her chin with a hoof, then looked back at Derpy "On the lips?"

Derpy nodded her head "On the lips." She said with a sincere smile.

Pinkie hummed again, then inched closer to Derpy "What's it like?" She asked curiously.

Derpy shrugged "I dunno; Not exactly special to me. It's just how I wake him up. And it works, too!" She smiled "Maybe you should try it the next time he's sleeping!"

Pinkie stared before smiling "You know...Maybe I should! Do you know anything else about Starrky?"

Derpy shook her head "Other than his story at the party and how to wake him up, I don't know diddly squat. But I hope I helped you out."

Pinkie smiled "Oh, you have. Thanks for the chat, Derpy! I better get going!" She said as she pronked away while giving off a more pleasant vibe.

Derpy looked down after Pinkie left "That is a good question, though; When IS Starrk's birthday?" She asked herself as she began to hover into the air and reach her next stop.

As she flew into the air, she heard a second set of wings behind her. At first she thought it was Raindrops; On rare occasions, they would cross paths in their mail routes and converse in a friendly manner. However, not only are the occasions rare, they're short-lived, and the two have to quickly move back onto their jobs.

Instead of looking behind to see Raindrops, Derpy noticed a certain rainbow pegasus flying after her with a look of mild determination "Oh, hey, Rainbow Dash! Did I forget to deliver mail to you?"

Rainbow Dash deadpanned "You didn't because Starrk was the one to deliver them for me. Speaking of, you got a minute?"

Derpy smiled "To talk? Sure! But can we do it while I deliver mail? I kinda want to complete this route."

Rainbow Dash nodded "Cool." She looked away while she flew "It's gonna be private, and you're the only pony I can talk to about this."

The two pegasi swooped down towards another home while Derpy replied cheerfully "Oh boy! I love private conversations!" She donned an embarrassed grin "I'm...not the best at keeping secrets, though..." Derpy added awkwardly.

Rainbow Dash heaved a sigh at Derpy's words, but mustered the patience to continue "To keep it short and simple, I wanna talk about Starrk. There's some stuff I gotta know about and I figured since he's living with you and all, you could have some info."

Derpy inserted the envelopes into the mailbox, then perked up after Rainbow Dash finished "Really? That's funny..."

Rainbow Dash furrowed her brow "What about it? Just because I wanna know about the newest pony in town?"

Derpy shook her head "Nuh-uh. Not at all." She smiled "Pinkie talked to me earlier and wanted to know about Starrky, too! I already told her how to wake him up."

Rainbow Dash widened her eyes "What!?" Her mind was reeling for two reasons; Derpy somehow knew a method to waking up Starrk without resorting to Lilynette, and Pinkie Pie had the same goal of extracting information from Derpy. She shook it off and grunted "Forget I said that. How DO you wake him up?" She asked with an arched eyebrow.

Derpy smiled "You gotta lay a wet one on him!"

Rainbow Dash stared before chuckling "Oh, is that all? That'll be easy!" She said as she held up a hoof with a mischievous grin. Nothing says 'Wakey wakey' like a good wet willy.

Derpy caught onto the gesture and shook her head "Nonono, the OTHER wet one!"

Rainbow Dash craned her head back "Wait, what?" She paused as she thought it over. The gears turned in the cyan pegasus' mind until she realized what Derpy had meant, her eyes widening once again "You're kidding..." Rainbow Dash whispered.

Derpy shook her head "Nope nope nope! And it has to be on the lips." She grinned as she clopped her hooves together "Just like in the movies!" She said as she flew upward, leaving Rainbow Dash to stay down until she finally took flight and followed the mailmare.

Rainbow Dash was at Derpy's side with a distressed look on her face "Please tell me there's another way. I'm begging you here."

Derpy's eyes rotated "Well, you could always use Lilynette, but I don't wanna hurt Starrky." She turned to Rainbow Dash "Neither do you, right?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head "No way!" She shuddered when she remembered Starrk's story "Can't believe that her and Starrk are like the same person..." The cyan pegasus muttered "It's gonna be weird to get used to that."

Derpy smiled "Not for me. I still see Lilynette as a daughter to Starrk, even if they don't get along so much. He's a lucky stallion to have such a strong little filly!"

Rainbow Dash frowned "Well, could you tell me anything else about Starrk? Anything useful?"

Derpy hummed "Well, me and Raindrops think he's shy around Pinkie Pie. Pinkie already knows about this, of course."

Rainbow Dash snorted 'Shy? What a load of horseapples! I don't think he'd want her to come within three feet of his personal space.' Upon this knowledge, she had an idea on how to achieve her own goals. Rainbow Dash smirked at Derpy "Anything else?"

Derpy shook her head "Nope. That's pretty much it. Hope it helped you out, though!" She smiled "It was nice talking with you, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash gave a small mock salute "Anytime. Thanks for the info!" She said as she flew away, leaving Derpy to fly on her own.

As she flew, Derpy's eyes rotated "Wow...Starrky's becoming more and more popular right now. I wonder if I should follow him like Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie..."


To be continued...