//------------------------------//
// Chapter 6 
// Story: Starbloom Chronicles II 
// by L_Wolf 
//------------------------------//


~*{Chapter Six}*~


Starbloom arrived back at the library and went inside looking around not seeing Spike or Twilight in the main hall. "Hello? Mama, Spike I'm home." She called out and perked her ears listening but didn't hear any reply from either of them. "They must be out," she thought out loud going to her room. She put her saddle bags away before heading back down stairs to the kitchen.

She fixed herself a glass of tea and carried it in her magic to the main hall of the library and took a seat in her spot relaxing. She sipped her tea and took down a book to read quietly to herself, but just as she opened the book she heard the library door and looked over to see if it was her mom and Spike.

Starbloom saw Sweetie come into the library looking around before spotting Starbloom relaxing on her pillow. "Hey Starbloom, when I got home Rarity was gone There was note saying to come here." Sweetie said going over and settling next to her. "I guess Twilight and Spike are out to?"

Starbloom nodded putting the book down. "Yea, they should be back soon. Mama normally leaves a note if she going to be gone long."

Starbloom smiled as she took a sip of her tea. She was about to say something else when a green mist swirled in front of her and a scroll popped into existence from the mist. Starbloom took it in her magic blinking lightly. "Odd, Spike rarely sends a letter to me." She said softly and Sweetie looked at the scroll curiously.

"What does it say?" Sweetie asked looking existed about what the letter could be about.

Starbloom opened the letter smiling at Sweetie but she had an uneasy filling as well. She started to read the letter and her eyes got big the more she read.

Dear Starbloom,

I'm writing this letter to you from Canterlot. Rarity is with me and we have some, troubling news. There is really no easy way to say this. There was an accident with one of air ships. Rarity and Sweetie Belle's father was killed in the accident, her mother is in critical condition at Canterlot Critical Care.

Rarity left a note for Sweetie Belle telling her to go to the library to stay with you. So she should be there now. If you can, ease her into the news about her parents. We will return to Ponyville as soon as her mother is stable enough to be transferred to Ponyville General.

If you feel uncomfortable telling Sweetie Belle about the news we both understand, and she will let Sweetie Belle know when she returns home. Please take care of yourself while me and Spike are away, and take good care of Sweetie Belle while she is staying with you.

Your Loving Mother,
Twilight Sparkle

Starbloom had a look of shock on her face when she finished reading the letter. Sweetie Belle picked up on the look easily. "Starbloom, what is it?" Sweetie asked snapping her out of the shock from the news.

Starbloom rolled the scroll up and put it aside shaking her head lightly. "Sweetie...." She started choking up a bit before clearing her throat and closed her eyes taking a deep breath. She raised her hoof and put it on Sweetie's shoulder lightly. "There was an accident, involving your parents.... your father didn't make it." She said softly looking into Sweetie's eyes.

"M.. my dad.." Sweetie said the news slowly sinking in. "He's dead? That... can't be right... he's with my mom traveling." Sweetie continued her voice cracking a bit as tears stung her eyes. "W... what about my mom?"

Starbloom shifted and put her foreleg around Sweetie's shoulder softly hugging her softly. "Your mom is in Canterlot Critical Care, your sister is with her, until they get back Rarity asked that you stay here with me."

Sweetie sniffled softly looking at the floor before looking at Starbloom, "Is.. is my mom going to be okay?" She asked softly leaning against Starbloom shuddering softly from sobs. "Will she Starbloom?"

Starbloom ran her hoof along Sweetie's back softly trying to calm her, doing her best to keep strong. But seeing her friend so sad it was for her not to tear up. "I.. I don't know Sweetie Belle, but I know the doctors are doing everything they can to make her better." She answered doing her best to be convincing, she didn't want to lie and just say she would be perfectly fine.

Sweetie buried her face into Starbloom's chest and broke down the realization of what happen hitting her hard. Starbloom held her gently and ran her hoof down her back softly trying not to cry herself. She understood how Sweetie Belle was feeling, the lose off anyone close was hard.

After a few minutes Sweetie started to calm down and pull away from Starbloom. Starbloom let her go and sat back herself, her chest was damp from Sweetie's tears. "I.. I want to go lay down." Sweetie said softly sniffling.

"Alright Sweetie," Starbloom said moving to her hooves. She led Sweetie Belle up stairs to her room and let her lay down on her bed. "If you need any just come find me okay? I.... I'm really sorry about your parents," She said brushing Sweetie's mane with her hoof softly.

Sweetie sniffled softly again laying on the bed nuzzling her face into the pillow. She turned her head towards Starbloom giving her a weak smile. "Thank you... Starbloom, I... I will."

Starbloom gave her a soft smile back brushing her mane again before going back down stairs to let Sweetie Belle rest. She was worried about her friend and hoped she would feel better soon. She knew it would take time though, she herself still wasn't over what happen with her Spike, and he passed a couple of years ago.

Starbloom picked up the book again and opened it to start reading. She read quietly for a couple of hours before looking at the time. It was nearing six and she hadn't heard anything from Sweetie Belle. She moved to her hooves and went upstairs to check on her. 

Sweetie Belle had fallen asleep, the news about her parents and the crying had exhausted her. Starbloom sighed softly and went over using her magic to cover Sweetie with a blanket. She made her way back down the stairs and to the kitchen. She made herself a sandwich and sat at the table to eat quietly. 

Once she was finished she started to clean up the around the kitchen then the library itself. While she was cleaning another letter appeared in front of her. She tilted her head lightly taking it in her magic. She was unsure if she wanted to read it though.

"I hope this one has better news then the last one." She said softly opening it and started to read.

Dear Starbloom,

I know I just sent you a letter, but things have changed. Sweetie Belle and Rarity's mother, passed away ten minutes ago. The injuries she had suffered from the accident was too much for her to handle. I know this news is upsetting and will upset Sweetie Belle if you tell her. I wish it could have been happier news.

Rarity, Spike and I will start on our way home to Ponyville the day after tomorrow. There are some preparations we need to make here in Canterlot before we leave. Please take care of yourself and Sweetie Belle while until we return home.

Your Loving Mother,
Twilight Sparkle

Starbloom sighed softly as she rolled the letter up and put it with the other one shaking her head. "Poor Sweetie, this news will devastate her." Starbloom said softly taking a drink of her tea. She made her way to the bedroom, checking on Sweetie again but she was still asleep. Starbloom got some spare blankets and pillows settling down near the bed relaxed quietly before falling asleep.