Life
“So what did it feel like, being that powerful I mean?” Scootaloo asked as she released Rainbow from her grasp.
“I don’t really know…” Star replied quietly, “I know that it was me, but it felt like somepony else was in control of my body. I can’t really explain it.”
“Hey, how about we save this stuff for when we get someplace that’s a little less in the middle of nowhere?” I suggested, interrupting the fillies’ conversation.
“Alright.” they replied almost in unison.
“We shall return to Canterlot and work on restoring order and harmony to the land.” Celestia stated. “Sky Flare, would you and Star like to come along with us?”
“Thanks, but no princess, I’d like a chance to actually relax. That is, unless you need us there?” I answered.
“Only for a minute, we need to sort out some things about Star.” Celestia explained.
“Like what?” Star asked timidly.
“Nothing bad, don’t worry, it won’t take long.” Luna answered for her sister.
I agreed and told the others that I would visit them again, as soon as I got the chance, and if could, I’d take Star along too. We rode on one of the chariots that are pulled by the pegasus guards all the way to Canterlot. Once there we were taken to the throne room, where the princesses began to speak.
“Alright, Sky Flare, now that we’re all here, we can discuss something that I feel is closely related to the recent events.” Celestia stated.
I felt a lump in my throat, they are definitely mad about me keeping Star a secret from them both, I thought to myself. Star however, did not appear to share my grim outlook on the purpose of the meeting, seeing as how she sat beside me with a bright smile.
“How do you feel about Star?” Luna asked calmly.
“I love her.” I said without even thinking.
“How much?” Luna asked.
“More than anything.” Why wasn’t I thinking before these replies?
“How would you feel if you could adopt her as your own filly?” Celestia asked, catching me off guard.
“Happy.” I said quietly, unsure as to how to reply to that.
“I’ll need you to sign your names here then, and once that is done I have an assignment for you.” Celestia levitated a paper over to me with a quill resting on top of it.
I took the quill and signed the paper and let it lower for Star to sign it. Once that was done, the paper moved back to Celestia and Luna, where they signed it.
“It is done.” Luna smiled at the two of us.
“That easy, huh?” I laughed lightly.
“One last thing, that assignment I mentioned. It will involve both you and your daughter, are you ready to hear it?” Celestia asked.
My daughter, “Yes.”
“You two will be moving to Ponyville where you will allow for Star to learn magic from my student Twilight Sparkle. Your daughter has great potential, and I feel that being with Twilight in Ponyville is the best place to hone those skills.” Celestia explained.
“Alright.” I nodded, smiling brightly at the two princesses.
“I think that you should start on your trip back to Ponyville. I’ve taken the liberty of setting you two up with a place to live; I hope that you enjoy it.” Luna told us.
“I advise that you two get started on that trip home before it gets too dark.” Celestia smiled warmly.
“My night is there so that ponies can sleep in peace, and once again, that is possible. I feel that if anypony deserves to sleep soundly tonight, than it would be your daughter, especially after everything that she has done for Equestria.” Luna said as we walked out of the throne room doors.
The moment that we were out, Star turned to me and looked up. “What did they mean by adopt?” she asked innocently.
“It means that I’m not your sister anymore.” I smiled back.
“What?” she cried in shock.
“It means I’m your mother now.”
“What?” she cried in joy.
“Now come on, let’s go home, there’s school tomorrow.” I laughed as we walked out to where I could fly us home.
I lifted Star onto my back and spread my wings. Once we were in the air, it felt like a short trip back to Ponyville. It might have had something to do with us planning out what we would be doing for the next week. Finally having some time that we could spend together without me having to hide her wings and us not having to stop an evil alicorn would be relaxing.
We landed in Ponyville where a guard led us to a decent sized house not far from where Twilight lived. Star and I began to walk around the inside of the house, just seeing what it would be like for a place to start our new lives. She was no longer the all-powerful alicorn that she had just been; she was, at best, an average unicorn when it came to magic. Like most colts and fillies her age, she had trouble doing the simple levitation that actually was the extent of some adult unicorn’s powers. I was already making plans for my new job since there wasn’t really anything fitting to what I used to do in the small town. I planned to meet with the mayor in the morning and apply for a job as a weather pony like Rainbow Dash had.
Once we had finished looking around the new house, Star and I started out walking around the town. Pinkie did as she always did, popping in from practically nowhere, and started a happy conversation.
“Hi!” she shouted.
“Oh, hey Pinkie, how are you feeling?” I asked, thinking back to the fight that happened only hours earlier.
“Fine, what are you doing back in town so soon?” she asked maintaining her happy disposition.
“The princesses told us to stay here for a while.” I answered.
“What are you doing out so late?”
“We were just going to pick up some food from Sugarcube Corner, the house that they gave us didn’t have any food and Star here got hungry.” I laughed.
“Why don’t you go and see Twi and the others, they’re all hanging out in the library, I was just on my way to see what was up. I was in the middle of planning the ‘We Saved the World Party’ when I heard about what was going on.” Pinkie explained, hopping off toward the library.
“Alright, how’s a detour sound, Star?” I asked as I looked down to the filly. Her black coat was almost completely hiding her in the darkness; the only parts of her that were visible were her mane, tail, and eyes.
“Okay.” She smiled back at me.
“Let’s go.” I nodded, lifting the tired filly onto my back after she yawned.
We took the last few steps toward Sugarcube Corner and I bought a couple of pastries so that we wouldn’t starve before we turned to head back to Twilight’s house. The sun hit the horizon, ending the day that had been just as welcomed as the night that we were about to have. Nearly a week with no night and no day had taken its toll on many of the ponies of Equestria, but none more so than the ones that fought to get it back.
“Hey Sky, Star. What are you two doing in Ponyville?” Twilight asked cheerfully.
“Princess Celestia wanted us to stay here for a while, and Princess Luna got us a house to stay here in.” I answered.
“Wow, why?” Rainbow asked, showing surprise, but joy.
“It’s mostly for Star; they want Twilight to teach her some magic. They said that she has great potential, even though all of her old powers are gone.” I explained.
“So what’ll you be doin’ while you’re livin’ here?” Applejack asked.
“I was thinking about getting a job as a weather pony; seeing as there aren’t any Ponyville guards.” I revealed my plans.
“This is gonna be so awesome!” Rainbow shouted nearly tackling me.
“So the princesses thought that I would be able to teach Star magic?” Twilight was apparently still in awe about what Star was supposed to be doing.
“Whenever you can, she has actually already been signed up for morning classes with Miss Cheerilee.” I explained.
“Alright, I’ll do my best.” Twilight said confidently.
“That’s all anypony can ever do.” I smiled back.
“Well I think that’s great!” Applejack shouted happily.
“It’s starting to get late, and if I’m not home in time to get Sweetie Belle in bed, than nothing will get her to sleep in time for her class tomorrow.” Rarity stated, “I must be on my way, I shall see you all tomorrow.”
“Oh, speaking of school…” I started.
“Go.” Twilight laughed.
Applejack and I ended up leaving at the same time; Rarity was only a few paces ahead of us. Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Twilight were the only four left in the library at that point. Anypony who had to get a filly ready for school the next day was leaving. I took Star up to the bed that was obviously meant for her and laid her down on it.
“Now go to sleep, you have a full day ahead of you tomorrow, a new challenge. School.” I smiled gently as Star gave one finally yawn before she faded into a restful sleep.
I turned any flew up into my own bed as well, closing my eyes and welcoming the sweet embrace of sleep. The only sounds were Star’s light breathing and the sound of crickets chirping outside the window. The moon’s light was gentle and reassured me that everything was back to the way it should be.
In the morning, I woke Star up so that she could get her saddlebags ready. I packed her a daffodil sandwich for lunch and even walked her to the schoolhouse. Scootaloo was standing outside the doors when we got there. I walked up to her with Star by my side and I pulled them both aside before they could go in.
“I don’t want either of you to tell anypony about what happened between the Universe and the Void, alright?” I patted both fillies on their heads.
“Okay.” Scootaloo said with a salute.
“Star?” a raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.” she had put on the biggest and cheesiest smile that I’d ever seen.
“Okay, now get to class you two.” I pushed them back toward the door.
As I was walking away, I could hear the start of a conversation. “You have a really cool sister, who else would stand up to the Void like that?” Scootaloo laughed quietly, while they were still in earshot.
“She’s not my sister anymore, she’s my mom now.” Star explained.
I smiled and laughed quietly to myself. My next stop was the town hall, where hopefully, I would be told that I got that weather pony job. I marched triumphantly into the building and was greeted by Mayor Mare.
“Sky Flare, are you here about the job?” she asked.
“Yeah, so do I have since I’m kind of assigned here until further notice?” I asked back.
“Yes, I will have you working at the same time as that filly of yours in in school that way she isn’t left on her own.” the mayor explained.
“Great, so where do I go to get the specifics on what I’m doing?” I asked. When I applied for the job, they didn’t really give me any information.
“There is a board in the lobby, it will have your name and the day’s assignment.” answered the earth pony.
“Alright, thanks.” I replied gratefully.
With that, I walked around to find the board that the mayor had told me about and was soon scanning down the list for my name. It said that I had the clear the clouds over the border between Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. The job was as easy as it sounded, nothing at all like patrolling the walls of Canterlot, keeping an eye out for a threat. I finished in a matter of minutes and met up with Cheerilee at the school during Star’s recess. I wanted to see how she was doing.
“Oh, hello Sky Flare, how are you today?” Cheerilee asked.
“I’m great actually, I just wanted to see how Star is doing; after all, she’s had a long week before I started her here.” I explained.
“Oh, your sister is doing just fine.” Cheerilee said in her usual happy tone.
“She’s not my sister.” I smiled back.
“She is registered in as your sister by the mayor.” Cheerilee was less happy now and more confused.
“I adopted her; she wasn’t actually my sister to begin with though.” I continued smiling. “I guess the princesses weren’t able to tell Mayor Mare in time to update the information.”
“You adopted her?”
“Yup,” I nodded, “she didn’t have a family before me, so I took her in. That’s why I had her during that week that everything happened, I was watching over her so that she’d be safe.” I explained. It wasn’t a lie either, she didn’t have a family before, and I did take her in to watch over her.
“That was very thoughtful of you, but are you sure that you can handle a filly of your own?”
“I did pretty well last week and the princesses seem to have faith in me.”
“Well, that’s good. I have to go now; class is almost ready to start back.” Cheerilee turned to the fillies and colts that were playing in the schoolyard. “Alright class, time to head back inside!”
As the young ponies began to sigh and retreat back to the school building, I took off so that I could meet up with Rainbow somewhere. We had decided to meet at Sugarcube Corner that way we could get something to eat after a long day. Long in her opinion, for somepony so athletic, she’s incredibly lazy.
I walked in and saw Rainbow was already sitting at a table with Pinkie Pie and Rarity. Applejack, Twilight, and Fluttershy weren’t there yet, probably still busy with what they normally do during the day.
“Hey Dashie, Rarity, Pinkie.” I declared as I sat down with them at the table.
“Hi Sky!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“‘Sup Sky?” Rainbow nodded.
“Nothing much, just had to check up on Star before I came by.”
“And how is the filly doing?” Rarity asked.
“Cheerilee says that she’s doing well.”
“Speaking of school, they’ll be getting out in like, an hour. We can go with Applejack to pick them up when she gets here.” Rainbow suggested.
“Good idea.” I laughed.
“Howdy girls, what’re ya up ta?” Applejack said loudly as she burst in the doors.
“Plotting.” I answered.
“What about?”
“Picking up the fillies together, me, you, Dashie, and Rarity.” I explained.
“That sounds like a mighty fine idea.”
The rest of the time that we were there was relaxing. We ate some cake, but mostly, we talked and had a good time. Soon Twilight and Fluttershy were able to join us, apparently there was a problem with a timber wolf that was trying to stray too far from the forest and they were working together to send it back home.
“Well, it looks like it’s about time to go and get the young ‘uns. We’ll be back soon, don’t go nowhere.” Applejack joked.
“Alright.” Pinkie laughed back.
“If you hurry, there might even be some cake left.” Twilight said as she put a magic bubble around the cake keeping Pinkie from inhaling the last of it.
With that, we quickly began to move to pick the fillies up from school. The others were moving out in a mass, but ours were staying together and talking, walking at a slower pace than the others.
“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo shouted excitedly as she galloped to her hero.
“Hey kid.” Rainbow said, remaining cool and calm like usual.
“Star, how was your first day?” I asked as I approached the black unicorn filly.
“It was amazing! I learned so much!” she shouted excitedly.
I looked around as the others were talking with their younger sisters or idolizers in Rainbow and Scoot’s case. “That’s great.” I smiled warmly.
I heard a gasp from Rainbow Dash, “Sky adopted Star?” she shouted.
“Yup.” I said calmly. Scootaloo had told her; it wasn’t a big secret or anything.
“Why didn’t ya mention this earlier?” Applejack cried out.
“I was going to tell all of you at once with Star by my side. I was a bit too tired to even think about it last night though, sorry.”
“That’s really important, how could you forget to mention it last night?” Rarity replied.
“It had just happened and I was still getting used to the concept myself; the princesses just outright asked me if I wanted to adopt her when we got to the castle. After that they sent me here to stay. I saw Pinkie Pie after I had finished the looking at our new house.” I explained.
“Still…” Applejack started.
“I’m sorry; I can’t really do much more than say that.” I shrugged.
“It’s alright, but I sure wish that ya’d told us sooner.” Applejack continued.
“What are we waiting for; we need to tell the others!” Rainbow shouted from above as she held Scootaloo up and started flying back to the bakery.
I nodded, wary of how the others would react. I honestly had meant to say something the night before, but I wasn’t expecting to see them, and I was worn out. I would just have to explain myself again.
Once Sugarcube Corner was in sight, we noticed that Twilight and the others were already outside. They had to have some out a little while ago, wanting to meet up with us out there, as opposed to inside the bakery.
“Hey girls, there’s something that I want to say, I just wanted Star to be here when I did.” I said as I got close enough to them.
“What is it?” Pinkie jumped into the air.
“I kind of ended up… um, well… I adopted Star.” I smiled uneasily.
“What!?” Twilight shouted in astonishment.
“Hold on just one second!” Pinkie shouted as she pulled a glass of water out from nowhere and took a big drink, only to spit it out everywhere. “What!?”
“I was planning on telling you as soon as I could, but I wasn’t expecting to see you last night, and I didn’t think about it then.” I explained. “The princesses had caught me off guard that morning; they asked me if I wanted to adopt her.”
“Wow! Congratulations!” Twilight jumped in joy.
“I’m so happy for you two.” Fluttershy finally said, the initial shock having worn off.
“Adoption Party!” Pinkie jumped up and ran off, presumably to set up the party.
Star stood right next to my leg, her face as red as a red delicious, as Applejack would say. She was clearly happy, but didn’t know how to respond, this was her second party. Twilight laughed a little bit before walking over to us.
“Alright, this party will be a bit bigger than the last one, more likely than not.” Twilight laughed.
“Alright.” Star said quietly, her face still blushed.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fun. Just think about the new friends that you’ll make.” I smiled, nudging Star toward Twilight.
“Are you ready for today’s lesson, Star?” Twilight placed a hoof on Star’s head.
“What will it be over?” Star asked, perking her head up slightly.
“The most recent thing that Princess Celestia has started teaching me, friendship.” Twilight smiled.
THE END