//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: The Inheritors of Friendship // by NgKQ //------------------------------// Twilight was rushed to the hospital in time, and just half an hour she arrived, she finally heard the cries of a newborn infant. “Congratulations!” beamed the nurse. “It’s an Alicorn filly.” Twilight was feeling too giddy and too exhausted to see her newborn. “Oh, alright…” Then she went unconscious. In the midst of her unconsciousness, Twilight found herself in an ethereal space, much like when Princess Celestia ascended her into an Alicorn. “I wonder why I’m here,” thought Twilight. “Does the princess want to see me?” “Twilight!” suddenly she heard a familiar voice. She turned around to see Flash Sentry right before her. “So,” concluded Twilight moodily. “I guess you didn’t make it…” “I guess that was pretty hard,” said the latter. “But honestly she too was at the verge of death.” “Oh, I’m glad to hear it…” sighed Twilight as she went into his arms, sniffling with tears. Flash let Twilight cry as hard as she wanted. “Oh, hey,” resumed Flash. “I should say congrats for having Melody born!” “Oh, yeah?” said Twilight when she stopped crying. “I think it’s time for me to teach her and Orion about the magic of friendship…” “Don’t forget,” said Flash. “The responsibility of the family is onto you. It’s also about time to decide the future of our children.” “I get it…” “One more thing,” added Flash, and he took out a necklace-like item, shaped like his cutie mark. “Melody should wear this. It’s a protective charm for her. Whenever she goes, my spirit would be around to protect her, and she might make use of it, too.” “Really?” “Right. Now, it’s time for me to be ascended,” Flash began to drift away from her. “The future of your children, and Equestria, are on your hooves…” “Flash…!” Twilight called, but at the same moment, her vision ended. She slowly opened her eyes, and the first one to see was Applejack. “Twilight! Are y’alright?” asked Applejack. “Applejack?” asked Twilight, before looking around to see all of her friends in the ward. “Everypony?” “Mom!” cried Orion Galaxy as he hopped onto her, hugging her. “We were so worried about you,” said Fluttershy. “Twilight, about Flash…” began Cheese Sandwich. “Don’t worry about him anymore,” sighed Twilight. “He just went home…” “Home?” wondered Niku. Then out of the blue, Orion suddenly burst into tears. “Dad, DAAAAD!!!!” he cried uncontrollably. The others could do nothing but sympathize the colt that lost his father. “Life’s like that,” consoled Fluttershy. “We have to go through like that.” “Oh, Twilight, looks like you forgot to look at her,” called Rarity. “Who?” she turned around to see her baby daughter sleeping beside her. She was a pink Alicorn, and her mane and tail were purple with light blue streaks. She looked exactly like her future counterpart a few years ago. “Oh, my goodness, she’s cute,” said Twilight. “Orion, stop crying and look at your sister.” Orion stopped crying before peering towards newborn Melody. “Hi little sis,” he began. “I am your big brother.” “Gee, she’s so adorable!” said Spike. Then there was a knock at the door. Coming in was Princess Celestia, followed by Princess Luna, then Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, and finally Twilight’s parents. “Princess…” “I knew what happened,” began Celestia. “Spike sent me a letter last night telling me everything.” “My condolences, Twilight Sparkle,” said Princess Luna. “Glad that you’re fine, Twily,” said Shining Armor with relief. “Wow, she’s just so adorable,” said Princess Cadance, cradling Melody. “I hope my children can be good cousins to her.” “How are your kids doing?” asked Twilight. “They’re doing fine. Last night Paladin and Mistral were really sad to know about your condition.” “Rest well, my daughter,” advised Twilight Velvet. “You’ve lost all of your strength from your labor.” “Thanks mom,” replied Twilight. Suddenly, she remembered her dream. “I think I dreamt Flash last night.” Everypony could not believe their ears. “Wh… what did he tell you?” asked Pinkie Pie. “Basically,” explained Twilight. “He told me that the future of Equestria is now onto me. He even gave me a charm for Melody.” She searched around her bed and when she felt something and took it out, everyone in the room gasped. The charm looked exactly like what Twilight dreamt. “L… looks like this dream just got real,” said Discord. “Then we’d better follow what he says,” suggested Shining Armor. “That way Melody can be protected.” “Princess,” resumed Twilight. “I was trying to cope with all this grief. What can I do?” Princess Celestia thought for a moment. “I have decided,” she said. “You and Spike will nurse her and Orion. When she turns five, they will come and stay with me, and be my personal students. I am going to help you teach them about the magic of friendship, and the leaderships of royalty. By the time Melody is ten, then I’ll let her settle with you back in Ponyville.” “What about me, Princess?” asked the young prince. “It’s up to you. You can stay with your sister back in Ponyville or with me if you want.” She replied, stroking his mane. “But will they miss us friends from Ponyville?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Don’t worry. For about once in a month I can arrange for them to stay at Ponyville for a weekend a month. That way they’ll never miss you all.” Rarity suddenly went up to Twilight. “Twilight,” began Rarity, holding her hooves. “I always thought about the nightmares for childbirth, but hearing you giving birth to Melody has given me new courage. I will give birth to a healthy baby, and my husband will be happy when he sees it!” “Rarity’s right,” declared Princess Celestia. “In fact our Princess of Friendship has proven us that times of happiness will arrive in the midst of crisis.” “Twilight,” added Fluttershy. “I’ve been trying to tell you, but now I’m proud to say that I’m having twins!” “Sounds awesome. I want to give birth to my kid as soon as I can!” boasted Rainbow Dash. “Ooh, me too!” pipped Pinkie Pie. “Our kids will grow up and be friends with your daughter, Sugarcube,” finished Applejack. Twilight felt touched. “Why… thank you… thank you everypony!” At that moment, Melody woke up and started crying. “Princess Melody Aurora,” said Twilight. “From now on, you will be learning everything about friendship, from your mother, your friends to the Princess of Equestria!”