//------------------------------// // Finale: A Beginning in the End // Story: Kind Hearts & Coronets // by Shinzakura //------------------------------// “And your job is to rebuild the Underground someday,” Chaffe said to Spinnaker as the two looked over the emptying Bastion. “You will know when the time is right, Spinnaker. The cause is currently ebbing…but you will make it shine once more.” “I understand, Commandante,” she told him. He shook his head. “You are Commandante now, Spinnaker. As for me, it’s time for me to change my name and together my wife and I will disappear into the mists of time. I failed our cause, and for that, I cannot be there when victory is finally achieved. But I believe that someday, Spinnaker, you will be the one who will change all. And we will watch your success from the shadows with pride.” Chaffe looked at his wife, who had a wagon with their possessions loaded onboard. Their plan was to move to the Crystal Empire, where they would be able to live in an isolated part of the province, preferably forgotten by all. Unhitching herself, Cloister went and embraced her old friend. “I will miss you, Spinnaker,” she said. “I’ll miss you both,” she replied. As agreed, the trio said not a word about Revanche or Candlewick – they were failed specters of the past, and if the group was to survive, they would need to be specters that could be easily forgotten. In the time since Revanche’s betrayal and defeat, the demoralized group had begun to come apart at the seams and splinter. Most of those who left were non-ponies, fearful that they would face less justice than their pony counterparts, given the evil that was the Sun Tyrant; the last non-pony to leave was Fifi, who vowed to find a way to prove her fellow diamond dogs were not the dim-witted brutes that so many believed them to be. The one that concerned Spinnaker the most was Gomez, who swore that if he could not change Equestriani society peaceably, he would do so by force – he had at least agreed, in principle, that they would never return here again. It was decided, then, that those who wished to remain at the Bastion would build a town here and settle down, finding some way to reintegrate with Equestriani society. But out of the hundreds that had been here just months ago, less than a hundred remained in the place that was now to be renamed The Garden. It would be the beginning of something different, Spinnaker admitted to herself. For better or worse, the Weather Underground needed to be dismantled and made into something better. But that was something to think about later. For now, she needed to see her friends farewell. “Will I see you two again?” Spinnaker asked. “We’ll keep in touch,” Cloister insisted. “We might be different the next time you see us…but I promise you we will always be your friend.” Letting them go, the former leader of the failed resistance and his wife hitched themselves to the wagon and departed, headed on a path through the Badlands towards the road that pointed to the Empire. As Spinnaker watched them enter the tunnel that led to the hidden access, a voice behind her said, “Are you sure about this?” The pegasus mare nodded. “If our ideals are to survive, drastic measures must be taken. Maybe I’m a foal for doing so…but at the end of the day, I believe in freedom more than I do the Sun Tyrant or her minions. I must save my followers – and I must save your town.” Standing next to her, Monochrome, the former mayor of Clustermare, nodded. “The rest of the townsfolk that will be joining us will be here tomorrow to take over the empty homes. Do you want the town demolished?” Spinnaker shook her head. “No – let it stand. Let ponies, bison, and others wonder of the fate of Clustermare and sow doubt and mistrust in Canterlot. Let them see the damage they have caused and the wounds they have dealt to our fellow Equstriani who have committed no wrong other than to have perplexingly been born as a non-pony, something they cannot be faulted for. “Have your town come to the Garden, and we will make this our first place of truth and purity. A place where pure hooves can shine.” The sun rose over the Zhuanganese capital of Si-Chuanlu. In the distance, shining like a great green mountain was the Palace of Jade and Bamboo – the home of the Zhuanganese Imperial Family. As dozens of pandas milled through the streets of the great city, going about their simple lives, a blessed event was happening in the Guoxia district of town, traditionally the enclave where ponies having emigrated from Equestria or Saddle Arabia lived. “Blessed news to you my friend!” a panda said, carrying a bunch of Equestriani-style candles. The craftspony’s shop here was known to be the best in town, and all manner of species came from all parts of the great city to purchase his wares. It was said even Prince Hong Xiongmao, eldest son of his august majesty Emperor Daxiongmao, considered the simple candlemaker to be a close friend, though the latter was much too humble to admit such things. “I hope it’s the first of many to come.” “Thank you, my friend,” the candlemaker, Chandler, said, bowing and replying in stilted Zhuanganese. He was still learning the language and customs since he and his wife moved here two years past. There were rumors about that, too: that they were criminals running from Equestriani justice, or that they were forbidden lovers having eloped to find a new life far away from Canterlot. It certainly didn’t help that the wife, kind and sweet as she was, was a crippled pegasus who was weak and frail, her wings so ruined that they had to be clipped. However, it was clear that Chandler was utterly devoted to his wife more than anything, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his Hubei Blossom. Strangely enough, though, those that had spent any time with the couple honestly wondered if they truly were a couple – or even lovers. Chandler was just about to close up shop, when he was tapped on the withers. He turned around to see a doctor. “Did she…?” “Congratulations,” the doctor, a panda, said in stilted Equestriani. “It’s a filly. But Blossom….” “I know, doctor,” the pegasus said, his voice flat. “I expected it, somehow. Thank you for everything.” The panda, not certain what he could say to still the heart of a soon-to-be grieving husband, merely patted him again, offering comfort before departing, closing the door behind him. Chandler walked back to the bedroom he shared with Hubei Blossom, looking at the pleasant life they shared together. The lie they’d lived for the past two years. When Candlewick found Tiger Lily, barely alive, she railed against him not only for saving her, but spat all the love that she’d ever had for him – and he for her – back in his face. Even still, he kept to his word to be with her, and nursed her back to health as much as he could for six months…but the damage to their relationship was done. By the time she realized what she’d done, the fires of love that he’d had in his heart were smoldering embers, never to be rekindled. She promised that she’d stay with him until the end of her days, and had so far kept faith with that vow. But the truth was, she was a crippled pony; where could she go? And so they moved to the other side of the world, where they could live their lives in peace, both pretending to be a couple so very much in love when the truth was that they now could barely stand one another. In truth, they only conceived a foal just to continue their charade, and if Candlewick had remembered that night, both he and she had to be drunk beyond comprehension to remember what they once shared. As he entered the room, Tiger Lily held their daughter in swaddling. But the once-proud Redsprite looked ragged, haggard, a mere shell of the mighty warrior she’d once been, the combat-ready pegasus reduced to living ashes. The sheets of their bed were stained with blood, the sign that it hadn’t been an easy foaling, and she was already in bad shape to begin with. Looking at him, she gave as much of a smile as she could and said to him, “Look at our daughter, my husband. Isn’t she beautiful?” My husband. He could almost hear the sarcasm in her voice, Candlewick thought. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d used anything remotely sounding like love. “She is,” he said, not looking at his newborn daughter just yet. “What did you name her?” It was Equestriani tradition for the mother to name the foal. “I haven’t chosen a name for her – that’s your task,” she told him, and he understood instantly; unlike pony customs, the Zhuanganese way was for the father to name the child. “I understand. But how fare you, my wife?” he asked with a hint of sincerity. “I’m dying – nothing can stop it. I only remained long enough to show you our daughter and to say a few things.” As he approached, she hoofed him the foal. “Promise me you’ll raise her to be better than I was. To love freely and fairly – to actually love the pony she weds.” “I will,” he said, feeling the sting of tears in his eyes. Even though he didn’t love her anymore, she’d given him a portion of her life – he couldn’t deny that. “What else?” “Promise me you’ll find a mare who will make you happy,” she said, a soft smile coming to her face. “You’re still young, and there are plenty of mares in this town who would make a wonderful wife for you. Plus, our daughter will need a mother to guide her.” He nodded. “And lastly?” “I wanted you to know…I’m sorry. I wasted our lives together. I shattered my family because I couldn’t keep my tail down. I failed my Princess and spurned our allies. I burnt every bridge I came across, then drove away those who tried to rebuild them. But I hope that you’ll remember the time when I genuinely loved you, Candle, before I went insane…though I don’t know if I ever was sane to begin with,” she spoke, her voice reedy as her strength flagged. “I still do, Tiger,” he said, meaning it. No matter what, he still had that. And as he bent down, he gave his wife one last kiss, in commemoration of what they once had. And in that last touch, she poured her heart and life into it, giving him the last bit of what they had together before she fell back, eyes closed and a serene smile on her face. Candlewick looked at the body of his wife as her spirit moved on to the Great Pasture. Tears streamed down his cheeks for what he’d lost, until a soft gurgling caught his attention once again. His newborn daughter needed him. He looked at her, surprised. She was a unicorn filly, her coat a delicate shade of thistle-purple. Gentle red-violet eyes looked at him with awe and wonder, framed by a soft short mane of eggplant-purple, upon which was a single shock of violet-blue. He looked at his daughter and knew that this was, somehow, a message from the Goddess, a sole chance at redemption. Eyes crying in both sorrow and joy, he kissed his daughter gently on the forehead. “I will give you a name of honor and justice, little one. You shall bear the name of the mare who I should have made happy; and of the one who wanted you to surpass her. You will be my reminder to be the best father I can be, and you will grow up to be a mare to make me proud. You will now and always be my beloved daughter…Twilight Lily.” Both Sparkler and Dinky were practically vibrating with excitement as Sweetie Belle met them at the train station. “So what do you think it’ll be, a colt or a filly?” Sparkler asked after both embraced Sweetie. “Pegasus, unicorn or earth pony?” “Well, we could’ve used magic to find out,” Sweetie said, “but Rarity made everypony promise they wouldn’t. She wants it to be a surprise for some reason, and both she and your father haven’t even really picked out names yet – they’re winging it.” “Oh, I hope it’ll be a unicorn!” Dinky said. “Then I can teach her magic!” “Uh, Dinks, I’m sure she’ll go to Sweetie first, if that’s the case – and if not her, then Twilight. No offense, Sweetie.” “None taken,” Sweetie assured them. “Being Twi’s apprentice can be hard enough; I’m not sure what I’d do if I had to teach a little filly or colt. Personally, I’m hoping it’s an earth pony. I’m sure Silver would appreciate the break, considering his wife and daughters are all unicorns.” “I never thought of that. Maybe it’s okay then to wish for a little brother that’s an earth pony – I’m sure Dad would love that,” Dinky mused. “Maybe she’ll be a pegasus filly or something, Dinky,” Sparkler pointed out. “That’d be interesting, too.” “Well, we’ll see. Rarity’s due to foal this week, so we’ll find out what the future holds,” the mage acolyte said as she went to flag a taxi. Having tea in her home with members of her family, Rarity shifted uncomfortably on her couch. “I feel like an overly plump ursa major,” she sighed as she drank her tea. “Even still, this is probably a memory that I’ll cherish for years.” “Or have nightmares about, dear,” Sandalwood said, taking a sip from her own cup. Rarity sighed. “Sandalwood…how do you do it? I think about motherhood and…well, I’m afraid. I never feel I’m being a good enough stepmother to Sparkler and Dinky, and now, with my own foal coming? I’m afraid I’m never going to be adequate.” Sandalwood smiled sweetly. “I see how you are with both Sparkler and Dinky. You absolutely adore them and Derpy knows they’re safe here when they’re visiting you and Silver. You’ve already proven yourself as a mother, Rarity.” Seated at the earth pony’s side, Pearl nodded in agreement as she looked at her daughter. “Or is it foaling that you’re afraid of?” “Well, that too,” Rarity admitted. “Dear, foaling depends on the individual. I won’t lie: foaling you was very rough, but it was much easier with Sweetie. On the other hoof, your aunt told me that Sky was an easy foaling, but Persian's was rough.” “All three of mine were rough-going,” Sandalwood added. “Goldie had to be the worst, because it’s hard enough with pegasi due to the wings, but she was also a breach birth – they had to do a teleport birth, which is very tricky. But each of my foalings was worth it, worth every moment.” “I see,” Rarity said, wincing as the foal within her kicked again. “But even still. With Dinky and Sparkler, it was a matter of finding the limits and setting them, or talking it over with Silver or Derpy. But with this little one,” she said, gesturing to her swollen barrel, “I have to wonder will I be as good as the three of you? Or will I be a crashing failure?” “I’m still not sure how I fit into this equation,” said the fourth mare present. “I’m hardly a mother.” “I have three mares who beg to differ, Celestia,” Rarity said with a smile. “Luna will readily admit that you’ve practically raised her since the day that your mother disappeared. And Cadance admitted to me once that she wondered why you just didn’t adopt her when her parents left her in Canterlot with you. And I need say nothing about Twilight. Regardless of any of that, however, we are family and I very much value your wisdom.” “Well, the only advice that I can really offer is the same one that my mother gave me. At the time, I didn’t understand why she was explaining it to me; I was just a teenager – relatively speaking, of course – but it became very apparent to me once I realized that she was gone forever. She told me that mothers must always be there for their foals, for you are the sky and the sea, and their very life. That to do anything else is to be a disgrace as a mother, and to do that is to be a disgrace as a ruler.” “Well, after everything I’ve been through to have this little one, I know I will always be there,” Rarity said with a smile. “He or she will be the start of the next generation.” Fond smiles came over the three older mares’ faces. Almost as one, they said, “And the laughter of foals will ring through the halls.” “Well, I don’t know about you three, but I’ll be entirely too happy to give birth and enjoy my only foal.” Both Sandalwood and Pearl looked disconcerted at that statement. “Only…foal?” “Well, I’m a Knight, which means I really do not have much time to have lots of foals – it might have been dangerous having this one while there are still dangers out there. Besides, I do love both Sparkler and Dinky and I hadn’t planned on having any others, so….” Seeing the forlorn look on the two mothers’ faces, Celestia chuckled and said, “Well…there’s always Golden Sun and Sweetie Belle, correct?” At that, both Pearl and Sandalwood had a flash of hope on their faces. “Thanks, Celestia,” Rarity whispered to her sister royal. “You’re quite welcome,” Celestia said with a grin. To that, Rarity gave her a worried look. “Is something wrong, Rarity?” the sun alicorn asked. “Um…my water broke.” “I’m honored, Luna, really,” Silver said, as he met with the night alicorn in her office. “But don’t you feel there are others more qualified to lead your guard than I?” “Silver, as your princess, I cannot think of a better pony suited for command of my personal guard. But as your sister-in-law…in a manner of speaking…you need to stay behind. You have a foal to come soon and I know you’ve mentioned you don’t see your older daughters enough. Your unit is starting to see more and more action as of late, and I’m concerned that you won’t be around when Rarity needs you.” “The nation needs me, Luna,” he replied. “Your family needs you more,” she answered. He sighed, trying to form a response for that. After a few seconds, he said, “Luna…I don’t want to feel like I’m taking advantage of my ties to you, Celestia and Cadance. Ponies that knew me just a couple of years ago as the youngest son of a baron – and not really worth talking to – now constantly try to curry favor with me because of my status in the Royal Family. And while I know Shines has adjusted to it, I’m not sure I’ll ever completely do so.” He lifted his coffee from his plate and said, “I just don’t want to make a mistake that I feel will reflect on you.” She smiled widely. “And that’s exactly why I need you as my lieutenant, Silver. I fired Shoepolish because he cared only about looking military, not about taking care of his ponies. I had several members of my guard disciplined unfairly when it could have easily been solved by just explaining things to them. I know you’ll do a far better job, just by being yourself. “Furthermore, you’re not the only one who has to adjust. Now that Macintosh has proposed to Fluttershy, he will need to adjust as well, and I daresay he has much farther to go on that than you will. You had the advantage of noble birth, while he does not, and while he engenders those noble qualities, you know the gentry will eat him alive, Silver.” “No they won’t,” Silver answered. “He’s family. I won’t let him get hammered like that.” “Well then,” she said, a hint of a smile on her face. “I think you’ve answered your own question, correct?” “I suppose so.” “So will you accept the position?” “So long as I don’t have to use that batpony-enchanted barding,” he said with a grin. “I’d look pretty weird since I’m not a pegasus.” She laughed merrily, then an impish grin popped onto her muzzle. “What about Flufflepuff-enchanted barding?” Silver thought about that strange, mute fuzzy pony that lived in Berryville and had the unique quality of being one of the few ponies who could consistently out-weird Pinkie on a regular basis. Shrugging, he said, “Sure, why not?” He would’ve said more if he hadn’t been suddenly cut off by the arrival of a pair of vitally-important flamefaxes. With a sad look on her face, Twilight put the letter from Paraffin back into the lock box, then put it back into the closet. “It’s been two years….” she said to nopony in particular. “Twily…I hate seeing you like this,” Cadance said from behind her. “He hurt you, and he doesn’t deserve you. And in any case, he’s not coming back.” The unicorn wheeled on her sister-in-law. “So then why can’t I let go, Cady? Why do I keep seeing him in my dreams? Why do I keep thinking he’s going to come back?” Reaching out with her wings, Cadance embraced Twilight. “Twily, please don’t do this to yourself. You have so much to live for, and while Paraffin wasn’t the one, it doesn’t mean that there’s not somepony special out there for you.” “I know,” she sighed. “C’mon, I came over to talk about good things, okay? We’re here to celebrate you being offered the position of Archmagus! Isn’t that what you always wanted?” Twilight nodded, glad to be off the tortuous topic and focusing on something a little more her style. “Glittering Prize told me that he plans to retire, and that while Colorsfly and Gold Dream are also on the short list, as Vicemagus it’s mine to turn down. Plus, Colorsfly is older than Glitter and I think she’s planning on retiring as well – she privately suggested to me that Raspberry Blast would be a good Vicemagus for me.” “Are you going to take it?” She nodded. “Yes, but not right away – right now I’m working on a major project, and I have Derpy and Sweetie assisting me. This could be potentially huge for ponykind and Glitter promised me that he wouldn’t retire until I complete my prototype and present it to this year’s Royal Thaumaturgy and Science Symposium.” “Well, no matter what, Twily, I’m always proud of y—” Two flamefaxes immediately appeared. The trip to the Infirmary could best be described as “pandelirium”. The three princesses went into overdrive, immediately cancelling all their previous appointments and gathering up the family. Celestia, cradling Rarity in her magic, immediately flew her over to the Infirmary, where the doctors had already been notified of the situation. A few seconds later, Silver raced in, looking for the doctors. “Okay, somepony care to tell me where my wife is?” An orderly looked at him and said, “Wrong wing, Ensign. This wing of the Infirmary’s specifically for use by the Royal Family.” Silver, worried about his wife, was about to explode, had his father not decided to pick that moment to walk in. “Son,” he said to the orderly, “Unless you wish to explain to his grace Duke Lipizzan here why he was not present with his wife, Duchess Lipizzan, Knight Elemental of Generosity, I would recommend you render assistance now. That or I can go get you a quill and parchment so you can start drafting your letter of resignation.” The orderly’s eyes went open wide with shock. “I…t-t-terribly sorry, your grace,” he said to Silver. “Please, follow me.” Silver looked at Hammer. “Thanks, Dad.” The older pony gave a fond smile. “Trust me son, you don’t want a repeat of how I acted when your brother was born. My lieutenant had to have thirteen unicorns try to tranquilize me while I was trying to find your mother’s room. I think they still speak my name with fear in the officer’s wing of the Los Pegasas infirmary,” he said, chuckling. “Go to your wife. I’ll wait here for everypony else.” As he rushed into the foaling area, he got into medical scrubs quickly – thanks to an on-the-ball unicorn – and then entered. As he entered the antiseptic room, he decided at that point to do what just about every father did since time began: he started running like a headless chicken, all concepts of coherent thoughts dying on the beachhead that was his mind. I’m going to be a father, was the closest thing to a zen koan bumping up against the wall of normal thought. I’m going to be a father I’m going to be a father I’m going to be a father. Had either of his two older daughters been present and able to read his train of thought, they might have been somewhat offended or amused. Unfortunately for Silver, the only one present was the orderly, who was still fearing for his job and now had to deal with a stallion just on the verge of being a new father. The moment Sweetie got the note, she and her nieces – boy was that making her feel old! – double-timed it right over to the hospital. They arrived a few minutes later, running into the reception area with confused and concerned looks on their faces. “Excuse me,” Sweetie said to the first nurse that passed her. “My sister’s having her foal and we’d like to know which room they’re in?” Before the nurse could reply, a doctor arrived, an annoyed look on his face. “Kids, while that’s adorable, I’d like to remind you that this is the Royal Infirmary, not the local playground. I recommend the park across the street.” “Sir,” Sweetie repeated, “my sister’s about to have her foal an—” But behind them, a new voice roared, “Move your wrinkled plot out of the way or I swear I’ll smack the cutie mark right off you!” Everypony turned in the direction of the elemental scream, and found Diamond Tiara standing there, the sweetest look on her face possible. “Hope I’m not late,” she told Sweetie. The mage-in-training grinned madly. “No, you’re right on time!” Meanwhile, the nurse, not used to being sonically assaulted by a teenager, looked at the three teens and the filly. “Um…right…this…way?” she whimpered, hoping that she wasn’t going to have her head bitten off. Finally, after getting Silver back to rights, the orderly and the guardstallion officer entered the antiseptic area, ready to bring a newborn foal into the world. He arrived just as things started to get heavy for Rarity. “Okay, your grace, I need you to press now,” the doctor encouraged. The doctor seemed a bit out of sorts, but everypony present assumed it was because he was laser-focused on the birth. It was a shame that just before he entered, he had a huge “pep talk” with Equestria’s three princesses who might or might not have unintentionally hinted that his welfare, health and freedom depended on a perfect delivery. Pressing as much as she could, Rarity felt bloated. She recalled Applejack’s occasional nickname for her – “Marshmallow” – and for a change actually felt as though she met that criterion. But soon the pain came, the encompassing, and total. She felt awash in a sea of agony, alone. And then she felt a strong, steady, sure hoof on hers. She looked up and saw Silver looking at her, with eyes of love, eyes that said he would be here for her, always. That he would be her bedrock, the one she could always rely upon for the remainder of her life. “You’re doing great, hon,” he said, flashing her a smile. Rarity smiled wanly, wincing as another convulsion passed through her. “We’re almost there. Remember the Lamareze!” Another body-shredding ripple of pain passed through Rarity and though she tried not to scream, she felt Silver’s hoof there, holding hers and letting her know she wasn’t alone. She looked up to him, sending a message with her eyes. I love you. “We’re almost there!” the doctor called out. Silver looked back at his wife, whispering, “And I love you, Rarity.” He bent down and kissed her on the horn. A shrill cry, the first sound of a foal taking first breath, split the air. The waiting room was packed to capacity – far more than legally allowed by the Canterlot Fire Department, but no one was going to tell three princesses, a prince, five Knights Elemental and their families that they needed to clear the room. “Anything?” Luna asked Cadance for the fifteenth time in the past five minutes. Cadance had once admitted she could feel the first love between a mother and her foal, and right now that talent was being sorely tested as the romance alicorn was searching throughout all the feelings of the newborns in the past few minutes. “I’ll get back to you on that in a second,” she replied, her eyes closed. “Strangely enough, there’s been a lot of births tonight, and I’m trying to find just…the right…one….” “I don’t think that will be necessary anymore, Cady,” Shining said as a nurse entered the waiting room, looking at the Royal Family. “Nurse, is everything alright?” “Your majesty, your highnesses and graces, I am pleased to announce that her grace the Duchess Lipizzan has given birth to a happy and healthy little filly.” Looks of relief and joy started to spread throughout the room as the nurse continued. “I’ve been asked by his grace the Duke to have Lady Sparkler and Lady Firecracker be escorted to see their newborn sister.” “Really?” Dinky asked. When the nurse nodded, the pre-teen unicorn squeed. Sandalwood and Hammer looked to their oldest son and his family, then to their daughter, remembering the past. They then looked to their in-laws, and on an unspoken cue, Sandalwood, Hammer, Pearl and Magnum embraced as one, pleased to be grandparents. “I think they’re going to be a while, girls,” Goldie bent down and told Sparkler and Dinky. “Go ahead and see your new sister.” “Uh-huh, Aunt Goldie!” Dinky chirped, while Sparkler merely nodded in agreement as both followed the nurse to the back area. Silver looked on a most beautiful sight before him: On the bed she’d been moved to, Rarity lay, holding a tiny bundle in her forelegs. Looking up at her husband, she smiled, shedding tears of joy. She shifted a little so Silver could see the front of the bundle. “I love you with all my heart, little one,” she told the foal, looking down at her. “And your father loves you too.” In the swaddling was a precious treasure to behold: the earth pony filly had a light cream-colored coat, with a small shock of dark brown for a mane. She opened her eyes briefly, revealing beautiful violet-colored irises, before she closed them and yawned, the look adorable on her tiny muzzle. Instinctively she snuggled closer to her mother, causing Silver to break into a wide smile. He felt tears sting his eyes; a gift of pure joy. “She’s absolutely beautiful,” he told his wife. “Just as beautiful as you, love.” “She looks so much like her grandmother,” Rarity said, reaching up with a hoof to boop her daughter gently on the nose. “Silver, I know we were thinking of Amaretto for an earth pony filly name, but considering the resemblance….” Rarity left it at that. “You mean it?” Rarity nodded. “Our foal deserves no finer appellation.” A second later, both Sparkler and Dinky walked in, both girls’ eyes reflecting a moment of absolute beauty as they saw their sister in Rarity’s arms. Their breaths seemed to halt as they were taken in by the precious moment. Silver turned. “Congratulations, girls. You have a little sister. Come on up and say hi,” he said, smiling as he wiped away a tear. As both approached the bed, Rarity looked at them, smiling, then back at the infant. “Your sisters are here, little one,” she said, “and they love you just as much. You are a part of a special family, did you know that? Your aunts and uncles and grandparents are just outside, waiting to see you.” Sparkler looked at her newborn sister’s face. “She’s absolutely gorgeous,” the teen said, smiling. Hearing the new voice, the filly opened her eyes again and uttered a delighted neigh, reaching out with her tiny forelegs. Sparkler nuzzled the newborn’s forelegs gently before the filly leaned back and fell asleep again. “Hello, little sister,” Sparkler said, smiling in wonder. “She’s soooo pretty,” Dinky said, dreamily. Looking up to her father and stepmother, she asked, “What’s her name?” Rarity looked to her husband and he nodded. Turning back to her stepdaughters, she said, “Sparkler, Dinky, I’d like to introduce you to your little sister… “…Sandalwood.”