//------------------------------// // 8: Sleepover With Siblings // Story: The Next Generation of Harmony // by SammyRosePony //------------------------------// Inside the Castle of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle was getting ready for a very special trip. “Quills, check. Paper, check.” “Hey mommy,” said Starlight walking in. “What are you doing?” “Just packing for my trip to the Crystal Empire.” “Cool. How long are you going to be up there?” “For two nights.” “So Midnight, Flashlight, and I get to stay here with dad,” Starlight asked excitedly. “Actually, you’re father is coming too. “What? Then who is going to take care of me?” “Your sister and brother of course. They’re old enough to take care of you.” “Really! You mean I get to spend quality time with my brother and sister!” “Um yes. Why? Are you excited about that?” “Duh. I’ve been trying to get quality time with them, but they never had time for me. Now that they have to watch me, I can finally get to spend time with my BSBFF and BBBFF! This is going to be so much fun,” Starlight yelled as she exited the room. Twilight rolled her eyes at her daughter. She never knew this would mean so much to her youngest child. ————————————————————————————————— Both Midnight and Flashlight were sitting in the library. “Why am I here again,” Flashlight asked. “You’re here to help me find a book,” Midnight replied. “Okay. A book on what?” “A book on-” “Guys, guess what,” Starlight said running in. “What is it Star,” asked Flashlight. “While mom and dad are away-” “Wait, mom and dad? I thought only mom was leaving,” Midnight said confused. “That’s what I thought too, but they’re both going to the Crystal Empire. Anyway, While they’re away, you two get to take care of me,” Starlight said all excited. “Wait, we both have to take care of you,” Flashlight asked. “Yeah. Isn’t it exciting! We get to spend quality time together like good siblings!” Midnight and Flashlight both looked at each other. Both of them were kind of concerned. “What is it,” Starlight asked getting a little nervous. “I-It’s nothing sis. Why don’t you run along. Why don’t you find stuff to do tonight,” Midnight said. “Okay!” Starlight then ran off. “Look Flashlight,” Midnight started. “Now I know you and I must be thinking the same thing. When both Mom and Dad are gone, we usually don’t talk to each other cause we usually get into arguments.” “That’s right,” Flashlight replied. “And Starlight usually stays with the Apples, but since they’re on a trip to Manehattan, they can’t look after her.” “Yes. This time is different though. She will be staying here tonight, and she seems to be excited about it. So what we have to do is try to get along.” “Right.” “And we can’t put this off because I see it in her eyes that she wants to spend time with us. She would be devastated if we didn’t get along.” “Alright, so plan is to spend time together without getting into any arguments,” Flashlight said. “Right,” said Midnight. “Once we put her to bed, then we can go do our own thing. Until then, no arguing.” Both nodded and headed out off the library. “Wait, I still need that book.” “Ugh, Are you serious,” said Flashlight. “Why can’t you get it your-yeah this night isn’t going to be easy.” “You said it.” ————————————————————————————————— “Okay so we will be back tomorrow,” Twilight told her children. “Try not to cause any trouble while we’re gone.” “Don’t worry mom, we won’t do anything horrible,” said Midnight. “We’ll be absolutely perfect children while you two are in the Crystal Empire,” said Flashlight. “You three better be, or there will be consequences involved,” Flash Sentry said. “Calm down daddy,” said Starlight. “Nothing will happen to castle. I promise.” “I’m sorry Star,” said Flash. “I’m not worried about the castle. I just don’t want anything to happen to you guys.” “Don’t worry daddy. Nothing will happen,” Starlight assured. “She’s right Flash. Nothing will happen. The kids will be fine on their own,” Twilight assured. She then walked towards Midnight and Flashlight. “You two better be on your best behavior for Star. She’s really looking forward to tonight.” “Don’t worry mom, we already talked to each other. We’re gonna be the best older siblings for our little sister,” Midnight said happily. “Yeah, we totally got this hanging out with little sister thing down,” Flashlight said. “I’m counting on you two. Don’t let me down,” Twilight said. Twilight and Flash then headed to the train station, and their children walked back into the castle. “Okay,” Starlight started. “What are we gonna do first?” “Well what do you want to go,” asked Midnight. Starlight thought for a moment. “Let’s play a board game,” Starlight said excitedly. Midnight and Flashlight looked at each other. Flashlight whispered to Midnight, “Wasn’t there a reason why we haven’t played board games in awhile.” Midnight didn’t know what Flashlight was referring to, but then it hit her like a pile of bricks. “We stopped playing board games because we used to fight over it.” Both of them looked at their sister. “Aren’t we gonna play a board game,” Starlight said making puppy dog eyes. “Are don’t think we have a choice,” Flashlight told Midnight. “I think you’re right,” Midnight told him. ————————————————————————————————— After about an hour, they had played about four or five board games. Midnight and Flashlight were trying their hardest to keep their calm. Even after all those years, they were still competitive at board games. Well Flashlight was competitive, and Midnight wanted to make sure the game was fair. “Okay Starlight,” Flashlight started. “Yes big brother?” “You now owe me 500 bits since you landed on the space with a hotel i own.” Midnight felt bothered by this. “Um, not to be rude, but she only owes you 250 bits. You’ve only own that hotel for two times around the board, not three.” “I have been around the board three times while owning that hotel,” explained Flashlight. “No you haven’t.” “Yes I have.” “No you haven’t.” “Yes I have.” “NO YOU HAVEN’T!” “YES I HAVE!” Starlight watched as her older siblings bickered. “Even if I didn’t go around three times, I would get around three times eventually. I’m basically getting to the chase,” Flashlight explained. “You can’t do that,” Midnight yelled. “That’s against the rules!” “So what if it’s breaking the rules,” Flashlight yelled. “It’s not like the royal guard is going to come and get me and put me in the dungeon.” Starlight kept on watching her siblings fight. “Maybe we should stop playing board games.” Midnight and Flashlight looked at their little sister. They realized that they just started fighting when they just said that they weren’t going to. “What would you like to do now,” asked Midnight. Starlight thought about it. A lightbulb went off in her head when she decided what she wanted to do. “S’mores!” ————————————————————————————————— The siblings sat by the fireplace. The fire was going and marshmallows were roasting. Starlight sat beside her older brother as he taught her how to properly roast a marshmallow. “Now you see Star,” Flashlight started. “There’s no particular way to roast a marshmallow. You just stick it in and watch it burn.” “You mean like that,” Starlight asked pointing the marshmallow. Flashlight turned his head to face the fireplace. The marshmallow was on fire. Not just a part of it, the whole thing. Flashlight quickly pulled the marshmallow out and blew on it quickly. Once the flames were gone, it revealed a black, burning hot marshmallow. “Okay maybe not like that.” “Nice job,” Midnight said sarcastically. “Like you could do better,” Flashlight said annoyed. Midnight looked at her brother. She then trotted over to roast her own marshmallow. “No you see Starlight Aurora-” “Why did you just call me by my full name?” “Because it’s the proper way to address somepony.” “Proper way my flank,” Flashlight murmured. “What was that?” “Nothing.” “You’ve been princess training lately haven’t you,” Starlight said now a little uncomfortable. “Yes. Yes I have. Now Starlight, there’s an art to roasting a marshmallow. You don’t want the marshmallow on the point of the stick. That could lead the marshmallow falling into the fire. You don’t want it too far down either. You’d be burning a perfectly good stick. You want it perfectly set an inch away from the end. Now when you stick it in, you want to let it catch a flame, but not a lot. You just want it to turn a nice golden brown color in some spots.” Midnight demonstrated the ‘perfect’ marshmallow roasting technique. “And then you put it with the chocolate and graham crackers,” Starlight added. “Well yes,” Midnight said “But-” “But what,” said Flashlight. “That’s basically all you do to make s’mores.” “There’s a little more to that little brother,” Midnight said. Midnight walked over to the coffee table in which she neatly place plates with graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. “Now Star, you place one graham cracker down first. Then you put the piece of chocolate on the the graham cracker. After that, you place the marshmallow. Then you press another graham cracker on top. That’s the way to make a perfect s’more.” “Nice,” Starlight said. “Who said that’s the ‘perfect’ way to make a s’more,” Flashlight said. “What other way would there be?” “What if I put the marshmallow before the chocolate?” “You can’t do that!” “Oh yeah watch me.” Flashlight grabbed the stuff he needed. He watched as his sister panicked. He place the second graham cracker on top. “Flashlight, things aren’t supposed to be this way,” Midnight said angrily. “You know what little Miss OCD, I don’t really care,” Flashlight said as he took a big bite out of the s’more. “That’s it,” Midnight said as she knocked Flashlight down. The ingredients for s’mores flew everywhere after that. “How about we do something else now,” Starlight said nervously. ————————————————————————————————— “What are we doing in the library,” asked Flashlight. “Cause we’re looking for a book,” Starlight said. “What book,” asked Midnight. “We’re looking for that book,” Starlight said pointing to a high shelf. Her brother and sister starred at her. “What? I don’t have wings so one of you has to go get it.” Midnight flew up and grabbed the book. “101 Ghost Stories? Why?” “Because we’re going to be telling ghost stories. Duh,” Starlight said as she ran to turn off the lights. “I’m going to tell you the tale of the Headless Horse,” she said turning to the page. “Please. Everypony’s heard that-” Flashlight was interrupted by Midnight who pushed him with her wing. He decided to not continue knowing and just listen his sister. ————————————————————————————————— “And just when everypony though she was safe,” Starlight said reading the story. “There, standing right behind her was, The Headless Horse!” Midnight and Flashlight both freaked out and hugged each other. Starlight tapped on them, and both of them opened their eyes. “Are you two scared of a little scary story,” Starlight asked as if she was talking to a baby. Midnight and Flashlight looked at each other. They soon let go and jumped away from each other. “Okay my turn,” Midnight said getting up. “I’m going to tell you the tale of the scary ghost you doesn’t take anything into consideration and drives everypony insane.” “That sounds like a stupid story,” Flashlight said. “Besides, I got a better one. Ever heard the one about the scary ghost the freaks everypony out by their need to always be organized and have everything go her way.” “That’s not a real story,” Midnight said interrupting him. “You made that up.” “It’s a ghost story, they’re all made up.” “I know they are, but you based your story heavily off of me,” Midnight yelled. “Yeah so? You heavily based yours of of me!” “You’re the worst brother ever!” “You’re the worst sister ever!” “You’re both the worst siblings ever!” Midnight and Flashlight turned their heads only to see Starlight running out of the library. “Uh oh,” said Midnight. ————————————————————————————————— Midnight and Flashlight looked all over the castle for Starlight only to find her in her bedroom. “Starlight, you okay,” asked Midnight. “What happened. This isn’t like you-” “I was so happy when mommy told me that I would be staying here while she and dad are away! I just thought it was the perfect chance for me to spend some time with my big brother and sister,” Starlight said as she cried. “We’ve had some one-on-one times, but I thought It would be nice if we spent time together as a family. Mom and dad are away a lot, or they’re training you two! I’m just here doing nothing because I’m not next in line or training to be a royal guard. I thought I feel better about myself if we spent time together. I guess I was wrong since you two kept fighting. I mean, is it me?” “No no Starlight, it’s my fault,” Midnight said making eye contact with her sister. “Our sister’s only half right,” Flashlight said. “Excuse me,” said Midnight. “It’s not just her fault. It’s also my fault. It’s both of our fault. We should’ve seen what’s been going on. I can’t believe we’ve been this blind.” “Why were you so passionate about us spending time together,” asked Midnight. “The last time when mom and dad went somewhere and I had to stay with the Apples,” Starlight started. “Sweet Apple and I hung out with her older brothers a lot. We played games, made s’mores, and told each other scary stories. Sweet Apple had such an amazing relationship with her brothers. There was no tension, just love. I realized that that was what I wanted.” “Hey,” Flashlight started. “It’s not that late. How about we start everything over. Instead of fighting and worrying about hurting your feelings again, let’s just have fun as siblings.” “I like that idea,” said Midnight. “Me too,” said Starlight. ————————————————————————————————— The next day quickly came. Midnight, Flashlight, and Starlight were sitting in the library telling jokes. At that time, their parents came home. “Anypony home,” asked Twilight. “Mommy! Daddy,” Starlight yelled running to give her parents a hug. “How was it,” asked Twilight. “Amazing,” replied Starlight. “Really,” Flash asked. “Seems like those two would just keep getting into fights.” “You know dad,” started Flashlight. “Somepony’s can change.” “Or we can just keep some stuff in because we love our little sister,” Midnight added. “Really? Then what did you guys make your sister for dinner. Part of the basics of babysitting is making the foal dinner,” Twilight said knowing her son and daughter. Flashlight and Midnight looked at each other. They couldn’t believe they forgot about dinner. “There’s always next time,” Midnight said trying to cover up. “Yeah, let’s just forget anything ever happened,” Flashlight said. Twilight laughed. “Starlight, the next time we have to go somewhere, you’re in charge.” “What!?” Starlight laughed at her siblings. “You know mom, they may hate each other once in a while, but they’re great siblings and I wouldn’t mind being taken care of by them again.”