Part 1

The Life in Ponyville series
By SeaBreeze173
Love: Reassessed
Part 1

9 years before the events of New Town, New Beginnings

“Come along, honey. We’re going to be late getting to the train station,” Starry Night called to her eight year old daughter. Starry was a sapphire blue unicorn with a light pastel purple and light sky blue mane and tail. Her eyes were a beautiful grayish-blue, her cutie mark being a simple five-pointed star.

Starry looked around her now empty pent house apartment in the heart of Manehatten. She felt a tear slip from her eyes and quickly wiped it away with a flick of her hoof. A year before, just after midnight, she had been in her bed, waiting for her husband to come home from a late night at his work. The next afternoon, they, along with their seven year old daughter, would be leaving for a three week vacation in the Hayman Islands, where she and her husband would also be celebrating their nine year wedding anniversary.

1 year ago

Starry laid awake in the king sized bed she usually shared with her husband, Constellation von Abastor. She smiled in the dark as she thought about her loving husband. His eyes that were always filled with fun and laughter, his kind smile that would turn anypony’s bad day into a day of happiness. Her little filly had the same smile.

Tonight Constellation was having another long work stay at his office. Starry was used to him being gone late into the night, but he almost always was home at the same time and she always worried when he was even half a minute late. It is not wise for one to be out in the Manehatten streets at night, she constantly told him. “Don’t worry about me, My Light. I’m a tough old colt,” he would respond, promptly pulling her into one of his bone crushing, yet equally tender hugs and laying a kiss on her lips. My Light. It had been his pet name for her for twelve years. It made Starry feel like a love struck teenager whenever Constellation would say it.

Starry glanced at the clock on her bedside table. 1:52 AM. It was twenty-two minutes past his usual arrival time.

~~~

Constellation trotted quickly along the sidewalk to the subway station. His hat dripped with the rain water drizzling down from the clouds above, his soggy rain jacket whipping against his fetlocks in the wind. “Starry is probably worrying her head off right now,” he said to himself. Constellation passed by a dark alley way, not noticing the three stallions standing in the shadows.

Constellation continued on his way, oblivious to the ponies following him, as the steady rain fall, in conjunction to his partial deafness, muted their hoof falls. As he passed under a street light, his blue eyes caught the shadows of his followers. Thinking they wanted to pass him, he stopped and stepped to the side. Nodding at each other, the three stallions took their opportunity and surrounded their next victim.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t Mr. von Abastor, Manehatten’s most successful business pony,” the leader said. He was a pegasus and had a dark blue coat, brown mane and tail and brown eyes, his left eye having a scar above it. His two earth pony cohorts looked alike, both having green coats and blue eyes, with the taller having a darker green mane and tail, the shorter stallion’s being a light and dark brown.

“Uh, yes. I am Constellation von Abastor. What can I do for you three gents on this… soggy night?”

“For starters,” the leader began, “you can drop that brief case you’re holding.” Constellation glanced at his brief case. He had a surprise in it for Starry. A diamond necklace he hoped to give her on their anniversary.

“I’m sorry, but I have a gift for my wife in it. She never asks for anything and I wanted to surprise her,” Constellation tried to sway their interest.

“No can do, Mr. von Abastor. I happen to know that a surprise for your little wife is not all you have in it.”
Constellation looked at the pegasus as if he had grown another head. “I’m sorry, I really don’t know what your talking about,”

The taller earth pony opened his saddle bag and pulled out a small gun, hoofing it over to the pegasus. Constellation felt his heart stop as he laid eyes on the gun.

“Okay. We can do this the hard way or we can do it my way. Drop. The. Case.”

~~~

2:29 AM

Starry Night paced around the living room of the pent house apartment. It was almost an hour past Constellation’s usual arrival time. Sure, he had been late before. Many times in their almost nine years of marriage. Running the large corporate business took a lot of work and Constellation was dedicated to the business his grandfather established thirty-one years before. If only it had been based in another city other than the crime ridden Manehatten, Starry would have been much more comfortable.

2:35 AM

Starry had never been one to rush into things before thinking it out, but she always knew when something was wrong. It was a feeling of dread which built up in the pit of her stomach the longer time went on. She had that feeling now.

“Momma?” Starry turned to see her filly drowsily stumbling into the living room, her stuffed dog under one arm, the blanket Constellation’s mother had knitted for her being dragged along the floor.

“Honey Pie, don’t you know little fillies should be in bed this late at night?”

Starry picked Moon Glow up and sat down with her on the couch. The bluish-purple filly looked up into her mother’s face. “Is Poppa home yet?”

Those four little words tore at Starry’s heart. The little filly loved her poppa so much.

“I’m sure he’ll be home soon, Moonie.” Starry jumped at the loud knocks coming from the door. She sat Moon Glow down and ushered her back to her room. “Don’t come out until I say, understand?” Moon nodded and jumped on her bed.

More knocks echoed through the home as Starry practically galloped to the foyer. Slinging the door open, she came face to face with her worst nightmare come to life.

“Mrs. von Abastor?” the police stallion asked. Starry nodded her head looking from him to the two other police stallions and one police mare. .

“Yes, I’m Starry Night von Abastor. Where is my husband?”

“May we come in?” Starry nodded cautiously. She stepped aside and let them through. She led them to the living room and gestured them to sit. The police stallion, Officer Axel, cleared his throat.

“Do you have any knowledge of what your husband does?” he asked. Starry starred at him for several moments before saying, “Well, I used to work at the company as a receptionist before and a little after we were married, however I don’t know a lot about the inner dealings. He and I rarely talk about those things, since it always goes over my head ,” she chuckled lightly. “I do know that the company does a lot of industrial things, as well as charity work,”

“What about trade?” Axel inquired.

“Trade?”

“Yes, as in deals with other countries,”

“I know what trade is," Starry said. She continued. "I don't believe that the company does much in that aspect. Why? Constellation isn’t doing anything illegal, is he?” Starry began to panic. “I know he would do anything like that!”

“Please calm down, Mrs. von Abastor,” Axel tried to soothe. He continued, “There isn’t any solid evidence, but there does appear to be some illegal trade going on within your husband’s company. Now that doesn’t mean that Mr. von Abastor was involved in any way. In a company as large as Abastor Robotics, it is easy for things to slip by,”

Starry began to say something, but paused. She looked into the officer’s eyes. “Tell me something, Officer Axel. Why did you come here tonight? Especially with it being so late,”

The police ponies glanced at each other. The mare, Officer Ivy, spoke up.
“There is no easy way to tell you this, Mrs. Starry. There’s been a robbery. It appears to have been at gunpoint. Your husband did not make it out alive. I’m sorry,”

Starry looked at the ponies in her living room, her shock evident on her face.

2:52 AM

At first, she did not feel anything. It was as if time had stopped. This was all just a dream. A horrible, awful dream. She was going to wake up. Constellation was going to be in the bed right beside her. She would lightly punch him to get him to wake up, as she had done every morning since they were married. She would make breakfast as he chased their daughter around the kitchen and almost make her drop the platter of pancakes. Then they would finish their packing and be on their way to the Hayman Islands for their three week long vacation with his parents and her mother. There they would meet up with Constellation’s brother and his wife and kids and they would have the most memorable vacation ever. No, this was all a horrible dream.

3:00 AM

The police ponies were nervously glancing at one another. Starry had not yet said anything. It was as if she was frozen.

“Mrs. von Abastor, are you—” Ivy began, only to be cut off by Starry.

“NO!!” the mare shrieked, quickly standing up. “No. No. No. No. No. No!! This isn’t true! Constellation is going to come through that door and say this is all a mistake. There is no illegal trade and he’s not dead. He’s not dead. He’s…not...dead...” She sank back down on the couch. “He’s not dead. No. He can’t be dead. He—”

“Momma?” The police ponies looked up at the little seven year old filly, holding her stuffed dog and dragging along a knitted blanket. Starry broke down, covering her tear streaming eyes with her hooves.

“Momma, is Poppa coming home?”

“Momma?” Starry blinked and shook her head. Looking down at her hooves, she saw her sweet little filly smiling curiously at her.

“Are you ready now, Honey Pie?”

“Yes, Momma, I’m ready,”

“Good, now let’s go. It’s a long way to Ponyville and we have to get to the train station on time.” She levitated three small travel cases beside her. Most of their larger luggage had been shipped the day before.

Starry had sold the majority of her things, keeping only Moon’s bed and dressers and her own dressers. She packed all of their clothes, keeping some and donating the rest to charity. The only things she didn’t dare sell or donate was her jewelry, all of which her husband had bought for her. She hadn’t worn any of it since his death, keeping it locked up in a chest. They only thing she kept with her at all times was her wedding ring, which was kept on a necklace around her neck.

Even now, that awful night was fresh in her mind as if it had happened hours before. It turned out that there were illegal dealings within the company, though nothing could point it to Constellation. His brother, Nadir, had taken over Abastor Robotics and got to the bottom of the operation which had robbed him of his older brother, resulting in many of the workers’ imprisonment. The three ponies who murdered Constellation were also caught and imprisoned.

Yet not even the capture and imprisonment of the evil that took her husband and the father of her child away could dull the pain Starry had in her heart. It just made it worse. She would have felt better if it had been an accident. This, this was cold blooded murder for something that Constellation had no idea was going on. At his funeral, Nadir told Starry that when she and Constellation were married, Constellation made Nadir promise to take care of her if anything happened to him. Nadir stayed true to his promise, financially caring for his sister-in-law and niece.

Starry wiped her eyes once more as she looked around the living room and out into the Manehatten skyline. Her home for twelve of her thirty-two years. No, for eleven of her thirty-two years. For the past year, she had felt like an outsider. Manehatten was no longer her home. It was time to find a new home. It was time to go back to her true home. Ponyville.

The train pulled into the station in Ponyville. Starry lifted her sleepy daughter onto her back, and, levitating her things, eased her way onto the platform. The unicorn caught sight of her mother, Bella Notte. Smiling, Starry rushed over as quickly and carefully as possible.

“Starry!”

“Mom!” The mares embraced each other lovingly.

“Momma, stop moving,” Moon groaned sleepily from Starry’s back. Starry pulled away from her mother’s grip and nuzzled Moon Glow.

“Wake up, Honey Pie. Your grandmother wants a hug from her favorite granddaughter.” Moon Glow instantly popped up on her mother’s back, her eyes widening at the sight of her grandmother.

“Nona!” Moon Glow squealed, flinging herself into her grandmother’s hooves.

“Hello, my beautiful nipote,” Bella said in her thick Bitalian accent, hugging the filly close.

"Nona, can't...breathe..." Moon choked out

“Sorry, my dear. Can’t blame your grandma for her enthusiasm, though, especially when she hasn’t seen her granddaughter in two years,” the old unicorn chuckled.

Starry smiled fondly as she watched her mother and daughter reunite. She only wished her father, and her husband, could be there as well.

“Starry, were you listening?” Starry shook her head and saw Bella and Moon looking at her quizzically. I need to stop doing that. Starry scolded herself for zoning out. She sauntered over to her mom and filly.

“What were you saying, Mom?” Starry asked.

“I said, are you ready to go to the house? Your things arrived this morning. Already got Moonie’s bedroom furniture arranged. Need to get you a bed though, unless you want to sleep on the floor?” the spry elder mare chuckled.

“I think I can share with Moonie for a little while, right, honey?” Starry looked to her filly. Moon Glow feigned annoyance.

“If you must.” Starry laughed and whisked Moon in the air with her hooves. Moon giggled and playfully struggled to get away.

“Okay, silly fillies, let’s get a move on,” Bella shook her head and gestured for her daughter and granddaughter to follow her.

Starry and Bella walked through Ponyville side by side, talking of times past. Starry kept a watchful eye on Moon Glow as the eight year old filly skipped along, soaking in all the sites. It wasn’t very much, but still amazing to a filly who had only seen tall skyscrapers for most of her life.

Moon Glow continued to skip through the streets several paces in front of her mom and grandmother, only to have her hoof catch on a raised rock, causing her to trip and fall directly into a passing colt.

“Oof!” The colt grunted as he felt the sudden weight of his “attacker”.

“Dude! Are you okay?” Four other colts and two fillies galloped up.
Moon shook her head to clear it from the fall, her eyes landing on the colt’s wings.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” the downed colt sighed. He glanced at the filly that had ran him over. “Uh, could you get off me, please?”

Moon pulled her eyes from the set of wings attached to the colt’s back. “Oh! Um, sorry,” Moon apologized quietly as she scrambled off the colt.

“It’s no problem,” the colt assured her. “I’m Glacier. These are my pals, Stone Brook, Skye Racer, Phoenix, Red Knight, Sweet Heart and Thunder Bolt,” Glacier gestured at each of the six foals standing around him, five being pegasi, Red Knight being the lone earth pony. “Stone and Racer are twins. Don’t worry about telling them apart. I still get them mixed up and I’ve known ‘em forever!”

“I’m Moon Glow,” Moon replied as she continued eyeing the colt’s wings.

Noticing her curious stare, Glacier said, “What, never seen a pegasus before?”

“Huh?” Moon brought her attention back to the colt, his ice blue eyes sparkling playfully. “Oh, sorry. I never saw many pegasusses back in Manehatten,”

Glacier, along with his friends, laughed knowingly. Phoenix spoke up. “It’s pegasi. Don’t worry, everyone messes up. Even those who are pegasi.”

“Hey, you said you’re from Manehatten?” Thunder Bolt asked. “I was born in Manehatten,”

Moon nodded. “Yup. But my Momma and I just moved here to live with my Nona,”

“Nona?” Skye Racer whispered to his brother, Stone Brook.

“It means grandmother in Bitalian, you dodo bird,” Stone Brook rolled his eyes. “You of all ponies should know that. Dad’s grandma is from Bitaly.”

“Oh, right.”

“Moon Glow! Are you okay, honey? I saw you fall. You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?” The eight foals looked up to see a worried sapphire blue unicorn rushing over, a slightly older sapphire blue unicorn following behind her. Starry lifted Moon up, searching her for any cuts or bruises.

“Momma, I’m fine,” Moon groaned, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment. The other foals shuffled their hooves and looked extremely uncomfortable.
Starry continued her fussing. “I think we should get you to the house. Don’t want you getting badly hurt—” she stopped when she felt her mother’s hoof on her shoulder.

“Starry, set the filly down,” Bella said firmly.

“But Mother—”

“You cannot coddle the child forever, my daughter. Foals fall. They get hurt. She will live. Now set Moon Glow down. She will be fine.” Bella nodded and began to trot away. She new that Starry had always been an over-protective mother and her protectiveness tripled after Constellation’s death. Starry needed to relax. Ponyville was one of the safest towns in Equestria. Moon would be just fine by herself.

Starry Night held onto her daughter for several minutes. Finally she sighed and released her hold. She bent down to Moon’s height.

“You remember the way to Nona’s house, right?”

Moon smiled brightly. “Yes Momma!”

“Be there in two hours. No later. Okay?”

“Okay!” Moon squeaked.

“That’s my little girl. Have fun. Love you,” Starry pulled Moon in for a tight hug and smiled.

After waiting for her mother to be mostly out of sight, Moon released the breath she was holding in.
“Sorry about that. Momma gets worried easily.”

“All moms are like that. Ya get used to it,” Glacier smiled, the other foals nodding their heads.

“You wanna come hand with us?” Red asked. “We’re going to play some soccer,” Bolt finished.

“I’ve never played soccer,” Moon said.

“We’ll show ya, it’s pretty easy once you get the basics down,” Phoenix grinned, swinging her arm around the unicorn’s shoulders.

“Okay. Let’s go play some soccer!” Moon laughed, following after her new friends.

~~~

Starry and Bella walked into the older mare’s home. It was of the typical Ponyville style, which reminded Bella Notte of the home she grew up in back in Bitaly.

Bella paused as she noticed her daughter stopping at the doorway and looking back into the street.

“I’m sure the filly is fine,” Bella said, knowing that Starry was worried for Moon’s safety.

“Huh?” Starry looked back to her mother.

“Has living in the big city clouded your memory, dear? Ponyville is not like Manehatten. You should know that. You did grow up here, after all,”

“I know, Mother,” Starry sighed. “It’s just that, Moon is the only thing I have left of Constellation. If anything happened to my baby I would die. She’s the only thing keeping me from going crazy.”

Bella put a hoof on Starry’s back. “I know, dear. Constellation’s death was hard on us all. You loss a husband. Donar and Flora lost a son,” Bella said, referring to Constellation’s parents. She removed her hoof from Starry’s shoulder and began to walk to the kitchen.

“But Moon? The filly lost her father.”

Part 2

View Online

Part 2
6 years later (3 years before the events of New Town, New Beginning)

Eight young ponies sat in the bedroom of Moon Glow von Abastor. It was a hot summer day in the town of Ponyville, many of its inhabitants starting to believe that Celestia wished to burn them to a crisp with her boiling ball of hot gas which hung in the sky above.

It had been six years since Moon and her mother, Starry Night, moved to Ponyville from their home in Manehatten. They lived with Starry’s mother, Bella Notte, in her modest home on the outskirts of the lively town. The day they arrived, Moon met seven foals who quickly became her best friends. The first was Glacier, a white coated pegasus colt. His mane and tail were the lightest blue Moon had ever seen, his eyes being the same color.

The next two were twin pegasus colts, the calm Stone Brook and the outgoing Skye Racer. Stone had a slate grey coat and green eyes. Skye had a silver grey coat and silver eyes. Both colts had jet black manes and tails, Stone’s being well groomed. Skye let the wind do what it wished with his mane.

Thunder Bolt, also a pegasus, had a brown coat and a blond mane and tail. His eyes were a nice cool blue. Red Knight, an earth pony, was red. Light red coat with a dark red mane and tail and green eyes.

Sweet Heart, as her name suggests, was a complete sweetheart. She had a light pink coat and a light pink and white mane and tail. Her eyes were a beautiful indigo color. Her wings tended to poof up when excited, which was most of the time. Phoenix, a yellow pegasus, was Sweet Heart’s cousin. Their fathers, Falcon and Desert Sand, were cousins, with Falcon’s mother being the sister of Desert’s father.

Phoenix and Heart were close friends, though Phoenix was more interested in playing in mud than doing her mane. Phoenix had a red and orange mane and tail with golden-orange eyes.

On this summer day six years later, the eight friends were in Moon’s room, trying to come up with things to do for the remainder of summer break.

“COME BACK SO I CAN KILL YOU!!” Moon Glow shouted. Seven other ponies looked at her, brows raised.
“Uh, what?” Sweet Heart eyed her unicorn friend.
“Huh?” Moon saw her friends staring at her. “Oh! You thought I was talking to you guys. No, it’s this stupid fly that’s been bugging me for the past ten minutes,” Moon huffed. Catching sight of the fly once more, she slowly lifted up the fly swat with her magic. The pesky fly had landed on a surface she could easily reach; Skye Racer’s back.

SWAPP!

“EEEOOWWWW!” Skye flew up in the air, nearly hitting his head on the ceiling of Moon’s bedroom.
“Got it,” Moon smirked as Skye glared at her. The rest of the teens laughed heartily.
“Ha ha, laugh it up,” Skye grumbled. “Bro, why don’t ya take up for me for once?”
“As the older brother, it’s my job to laugh at you,” Stone said.
“You’re only older by four minutes,”
“Hey, I’ll take all that I can get,”
“I have no idea why I hang out with you guys,” The silver pegasus pouted.
“Oh, you know we love you, Racer,” Phoenix placed a hoof on Skye’s shoulder. “You just get in the funniest situations,” Phoenix laughed again, the others quickly falling in.

“Moon Glow!” Moon’s grandmother, Bella Notte, called from downstairs.
Moon wiped a hoof across her face to dry up the tears from her intense laughing session. “Yes, Nona?”
“Do you fillies and colts want a snack? I have fresh baked cookies,”
“Cookies?” Glacier popped up from his spot on the carpet.

The eight friends trotted downstairs and filed into the kitchen. Bella had several batches of her secret recipe chocolate-dipped butter cookies cooling on the counters. On the table she had two pitchers of her mother’s famous—at least, it was famous back in Bitaly—strawberry lemonade.

“She made the lemonade, too! Awesome!” Glacier exclaimed, quickly grabbing a glass and filling it to the brim with the summertime drink. He whisked up three of the cookies and trotted to a chair to enjoy his snack.

“I think your coltfriend enjoys my cooking, nipote,” Bella whispered to Moon Glow. Moon choked on the sip of lemonade she had just got and coughed loudly.
“What!? No!” Moon started, pausing when she saw her friends staring at her once more. “I’m okay! No worries!” she glanced at her grandmother. “Nona, can I talk you? In private.” Moon nodded her head to parlor.

Once in the room, Moon shut and locked the door. Turning to Bella, she said, “Nona, Glacier’s not my coltfriend. Not now, not ever.”
Bella chuckled. “Don’t kid yourself, Moon. You can see it just as clearly as I do,”
“See what?”
“Or maybe you don’t,” Bella deadpanned. “Deary, that colt is twitter patted,” the old mare cheered quietly
“What?” Moon lifted a brow.
“Don’t tell me you never saw that Disneigh movie,”
“Nona, please talk in a language I know,”
“Lui è innamorato di te,” Bella spoke in Bitalian.
“I meant the other—” Moon went silent.
“I don’t know Germane, dear,” Bella smirked.
“Lui è innamorato di me?” Moon began speaking in Bitalian.
“Yes, yes!” Bella smiled, nodding
“When did this happen?”
“Last year,”
“Last year!? O nein,” Moon felt her legs give out and she sunk to the pink shag carpet.
“Was that Germane?”
“Not helping, Nona,” Moon groaned, covering her head with her arms. Bella looked down on her granddaughter, her eyes gentle. Easing herself down beside Moon, she placed a hoof across the unicorn’s back and pulled her close. Moon nuzzled into her grandmother’s embrace.

“You know, my nipote, I had your same reaction when I found out that your grandfather wished to court me,” Bella said after several moments. Moon sniffed and glanced up to Bella’s face. “Really?”
“Si. Yes. I was but a young mare, barely out of fillyhood. Back in Bitaly, when a stallion wished to court a mare, it was with marriage in mind. In my day, it was normal for young mares to be wed. My sisters were married at sixteen and seventeen and already had two young foals each. But I was a feisty one. I had no desire to marry. Here in Equestria, the courting system is a bit different. Many ponies have several special someponies before marrying.”
“When did you marry Nono?” Moon inquired.
“I finally said yes when I was twenty-five. I felt that I had had enough adventures and it was time to settle down,” Bella glanced down at the younger mare. “But that was just me.”

“Nona, I don’t feel that way about Glacier,” Moon said finally. Bella looked at Moon, her brow raised and a smirk evident on her lips. The filly sighed under the older unicorn’s gaze. “Okay, maybe I do like him. But we’re best friends! It would be weird. And if it didn’t work out, being around each other would be awkward. I don’t know what to do! What if the others find out about it? Oh boy, Skye would never let it go,” Moon groaned once more.
“Does it matter what they think? I’m sure they would be happy. Love is a perfectly normal thing. But you can’t rush it. You have to give it time to grow. You must nurture it, as you would a rose,”
“I suppose, Nona,” Moon sighed.
“So, you’re going to tell him?” Bella grinned.
“Of course not! Why would I ruin our friendship because of a little infatuation?”

Bella stared at her granddaughter, resisting the urge to facehoof. Instead, she smiled and rose up from her place on the carpet. “Whatever you say, Moon. Now, I need to make sure your coltfriend didn’t make himself sick from eating all my cookies.” The older mare opened the door and trotted into the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her.

“He isn’t my coltfriend!” Moon groaned. “Grandmothers.” The filly rolled her eyes.

~~~

Moon trotted into the kitchen several minutes later. Bella Notte had a plate of cookies and a glass of the lemonade sitting beside the plate waiting for Moon. Her friends were packed around Bella as closely as possible as she fixed another batch of the cookies, Glacier paying extra attention. He caught site of Moon as she came in, his cheeks going slightly pink. Moon knew he was looking at her and tried to ignore his stares. Oh, why did it have to be Glacier? Why couldn’t I have caught the eye of some other colt? Not my best friend. Moon mentally slapped herself. Like you have anything to say, Moon. You know you’ve been eyeing him, too. Why does he have to be so freaking cute?! Moon screamed. She thought she had screamed in her head, but the looks Bella and her friends were giving her said otherwise. I so hope I didn’t say that out loud.

“Uh, Moonie? Are you okay?” Sweet Heart asked.
Oh thank Celestia. “I fine! Really! Just a, um, bug,” Moon’s face took on a fake grin.
“Since when have you been afraid of bugs?” Skye put out.
“I’m not scared of bugs, Racer. It just, startled me,” Moon snorted.
“Uh-huh.” Moon desperately needed to get out of the house. “Um, how about we go play some soccer?”
“You? Play soccer?” Phoenix eyed her friend curiously. The first day they met Moon they invited her play soccer. The young unicorn learned quickly that sports were not her forte.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Glacier came up and placed his hoof on Moon’s. Eeek! Moon squeaked inwardly. She quickly pulled away and backed to the doorway.
“Sure I’m sure! Now c’mon! Let’s goooo,” Moon turned and ran smack dab into the wall beside the open door. She shook her head out. “There’s a wall there, just so you know.”

Glacier glanced back at Stone, Skye, Sweet Heart, Bolt, Phoenix, Red and Bella, all having looks of confusion, except for Bella. She looked as if she were trying not to laugh.
“I think you fillies and colts better get a move on, before Moon runs into more walls,” Bella said, a hoof over her mouth.
“I think you’re right, Mrs. Notte,” Glacier grimaced, trotting out of the kitchen. The rest of the crew followed behind. Bella let loose a few giggles and went back to her baking. “Poor colt. The boy has no idea.”

~~~

“Moon! Wait!” Called Phoenix as she and the others caught up to the unicorn. Sweet Heart turned to the colts. “Why don’t you boys go do whatever it is colts do and let us handle Moonie?”
“Hey, she’s our friend, too,” Skye protested, Stone, Red, Bolt and Glacier nodding their heads. “What can you two do that we can’t?” Glacier added. Phoenix rolled her eyes. “It’s obviously a mare thing, ya dolts. Heart n’ I are perfectly capable of handing ourselves.”

“I didn’t know you were a girl, Nixie,” Red snorted. The yellow pegasus glared at the red colt. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Have ya looked in the mirror lately, Reddy?” Red huffed, he and Phoenix glaring at each other. Skye Racer looked back and forth between the two, smirking. “Are you two gonna kiss or what?”

“WHAT?”
“EWW!” Red and Phoenix jumped away from each other. “I wouldn’t kiss him if he was the last colt on the planet!” Phoenix exclaimed.
“Yeah! Wait a second,” Red glanced at Phoenix. Sweet Heart grabbed Phoenix’s hoof and pulled her away from the group. “Okay, you boys go have guy time and we’ll figure out what’s up with Moon Glow. Come along now, Nixie. Bye boys!”

“Ugh, can you believe the nerve of Skye! I would love nothing more than to give him a good whack in the face,” Phoenix growled once they were out of hearing distance of the colts. “Just let it go, Nixie. Skye will be Skye,” Sweet Heart chuckled. “There’s Moon Glow! Moonie, wait up!”

Moon looked behind her to see the pegasus fillies flying to her. “Where are the boys?” Moon asked.
“Don’t worry about them. Ya got Nixie n’ Heart here to help you with all you’re problems,” Phoenix smiled, wrapping an arm around Moon’s shoulders and pulling her close. Moon wiggled out of Phoenix’s embrace, just to fall into Sweet Heart.

“Uh, what problems? I don’t have any problems,” Moon smiled nervously, jumping away from Sweet Heart.
“Don’t hide it from us, Moonie,” Heart scoffed. “You’ve got problems. Colt problems,”
“Specifically,” Phoenix added. “Glacier problems.” Moon looked wide-eyed at Phoenix and Heart. She hung her head. “Fine. You’ve got me. But what can you two do? Heart, you and Stone are practically one pony and Phoenix, do you even like colts?”

“Why does everypony think that? It’s called being a tomcolt!” Phoenix stomped her hoof. Taking a breath, she continued. “But this ain’t about us. This is about you. Sure, we might not have the best advice, but we can still help. Right, Heart?”
The pink pegasus nodded. “Absolutely. We’re your friends, Moon. You can trust us,” Sweet Heart smiled gently.
“Okay. If you say so,” Moon sighed. This is not going to end well.

______________________________________________________________________
5 months later

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?” Moon shrieked. “I can’t go out there in this!”
Heart and Phoenix grimaced and covered their ears.
“Sheesh, Moon. Why’d ya do that?” Phoenix rubbed her ear while glaring at the unicorn.
“It’s not that bad Moon,” Sweet Heart smiled. Moon blankly stared at the pink pegasus.
“I’m dressed as a clown, Heart. A clown.”

It was true. Moon had a poofy blue wig set atop her head, dramatic makeup and a red nose adorning her face. She was dressed in a white and blue polka dot dress and had oversize blue clown shoes on her front hooves.

“Hey, you’re the one who wanted to do a comedy act,” Phoenix rolled her eyes. She and Sweet Heart were dressed in the same clown outfits as Moon Glow, only Phoenix having orange as the main color and Heart having hot pink.

“I didn’t know that Mrs. Bee would put us down as clowns! Much less order us costumes!”
“That’s you’re fault for not being specific,” Phoenix said.
“Don’t blame me for this!” Moon glared, pressing her muzzle against Phoenix’s. Phoenix scoffed and turned around.

It was the fall talent show at school. The eight friends had been participating in the school talent shows together since Moon moved to Ponyville. This year, Moon, Phoenix and Sweet Heart were doing a comedy act. Moon had counted on it being just telling jokes she had come up with over the years, Sweet Heart and Phoenix “acting” them out as she said them. Apparently the teacher overseeing the show had thought that they meant a clown act and seen to getting the girls costumes.

“Moon, Phoenix, chill out,” Sweet Heart stepped between her friends. “Let’s do like we planned in the first place and just add more dramatics to it. The clown suits will just make it better.”
Moon rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

~~~

Phoenix, Moon Glow and Sweet Heart trotted back stage, falling over each other as they laughed. They could still hear the roars of laughter of the audience, which caused the fillies to laugh even harder.

“You three were hilarious!” Glacier laughed as he, Skye and Red came back stage.
“Thanks,” Moon smiled. Looking behind the colts, she asked, “Where’s Stone and Bolt?”

“They chickened out,” Skye smirked. Moon raised a brow. “Seriously? What are you doing, anyways?”
“That’s for us to know and for you to find out,” the silver pegasus chuckled.

“Whatever. C’mon girls, let’s get out of these clown suits.”

~~~

Moon, Phoenix and Sweet Heart, having caught sight of Bolt and Stone, pushed through the crowd.

“Hey, boys,” Sweet Heart smiled as she slipped beside Stone Brook.
“Why aren’t you two up there?” Phoenix asked. Bolt rolled his eyes.
“Because we have brains. Glacier, Skye and Red are total idiots,”

“What are they—” Moon started as music began playing. Phoenix had a look of dread on her face. Glacier, Skye and Red came onstage, each wearing sunglasses, hoodies and ball caps.

“Oh boy,” Sweet Heart said.
“Kill me now,” Phoenix facehoofed
“Please tell me they aren’t doing that,” Moon Glow groaned.
"They are," Bolt and Stone nodded.

Skye began rapping, “Yo, VIP. Let's kick it.” Red started up next.
“Ice, Ice, baby. Ice, Ice, baby.” Glacier continued with the first verse.

“All right stop, collaborate, and listen. Ice is back with my brand new invention. Something grabs a hold of me tightly. Flow like a harpoon, daily and nightly,” Glacier spread his wings and flapped down hard, doing a back flip while at the same time Red and Skye shuffled in front.

“Will it ever stop?” They sang together. Glacier spun midair and dropped down beside them.

“Yo, I don't know. Turn off the lights and I'll glow. To the extreme I rock a mic like a vandal, light-up a stage and wax a chump like a candle.
“Dance, could watch the speaker that booms. I'm killing your brain like a poisonous mushroom,”

“Deadly!”

“When I play a dope melody. Anything less than the best is a felony. Love it or leave it, you better gang way. You better hit bull's eye, the kid don't play. If there was a problem, yo, I'll solve it. Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it,” Glacier pointed a hoof over to a DJ table from which Skye popped up behind.
“Ice, Ice, baby. Ice, Ice, baby. Ice, Ice, baby. Ice, Ice, baby.”
The trio continued rapping as the crowd nodded along. Eventually the song ended and awards were given. Moon, Phoenix and Sweet Heart got second place for best comedy act. Though Red, Skye and Glacier did not win medals, they did receive ribbons for participation. Skye was mildly disappointed, but Glacier didn’t mind. He considered it a successful night, being that he usually avoided singing in front of ponies.

“How about victory milkshakes at Sugar Cube Corner?” Red’s mother, Fire Agate, asked. She had a burnt orange coat with a peachy-orange mane. Her tail was a combination of the burnt orange of her coat and her mane color, her eyes being an odd looking, yet gorgeous tawny shade. She had a flaming sword as her cutie mark.

“Yeah!” the group of colts and fillies cheered. Agate smiled and fell in step with Bolt’s parents and older sister, Thunder Cloud, Ocean Light and River.

Glacier, along with his parents, Storm and Snowflake, and sisters, Blizzard, Icey and Avalanche, were trotting around, trying to gather his younger siblings; seven year old Precipip, five year old twins Cumulus Cloud and Stratus Cloud, three year old Flurry and one year old Snowball, who was just starting to walk.

Phoenix trotted between her parents, Falcon and Cardinal, her younger sister Blue Bird sitting atop Falcon’s head. Falcon was conversing with his cousin, Desert Sand, Sweet Heart’s father, while Heart’s mother, Verbena, continuously praised her daughter over her performance.

Stone and Skye’s father, Rapid walked alongside his sons. His wife, Emerald Gem, could not come to the show as their adopted daughter, Opal, was sick.

“Congratulations on your medal, Moon Glow,” Bella Notte smiled at her grandmother as she, Moon and Starry brought up the rear of the group.
“Thank you, Nona. It was a lot of fun, even though the clown part was unexpected,”
“You fillies did wonderfully. Your friends did well, too, though I don’t really get this new style of singing. What is it called again?”
“Rapping,” Moon confirmed.
“Wrapping? I thought that is what you do with presents,” Bella scrunched her face. “I will never understand you young folk. Odd things you are,”
“I love you, too, Nona,” Moon laughed.

Part 3

View Online

Part 3 – three years later

During the events of New Town, New Beginnings

“Welcome home, Bolt!” the group of seven ponies cheered in the middle of Sugarcube Corner. Thunder Bolt stood in the doorway of the sweets shop, a wide smile plastered on his face.

“I wasn’t gone that long, was I?” Bolt asked as he strolled into the room.

“No, but we still missed you,” Sweet Heart smiled.

“How was your cousin’s wedding?” Moon asked.

Skye scoffed, “Probably like any other wedding. Moms crying, kids running around.” Stone nodded. “Or if it’s anything like our aunt’s wedding, dogs breaking out of their pens and jumping on tables and eating all the food. Now that was a wedding,”

Bolt shrugged, “It was okay. Never really knew Lily that well, but it was nice spending time with the grandparents. River had fun with her coltfriend,” Bolt growled under his breath at the thought of his older sister’s longtime coltfriend, Flame Warden. He sat down at a table and swiped a cupcake from the platter.

“So, when are you gonna get one?” Red asked suddenly.

“Getp whath?” Bolt glanced at Red, his mouth full of cupcake.

“A marefriend, duh!” Phoenix laughed.

“WHAT!” Bolt coughed, sputtering cupcake all over the table. “What
brought that up all of a sudden?”

“You’re the only one of us without a special somepony,” Sweet Heart said.

“Skye’s still single!”

“That’s because he’s Skye.” Stone deadpanned.

“Hey!” Skye glared.

“Moon and Glacier don’t have special someponies,” Bolt continued.

“They aren’t included,” Sweet Heart said quickly. She leaned down towards Bolt.

“Nixie and I are still trying to get them together,” she whispered. “They just don’t know it yet,”

Bolt huffed and crossed his arms, glaring at his friends. “You guys are horrible.” Bolt wasn’t about to tell them about the grey pegasus mare he met on the train. I wonder if I’ll see her again.

~~~

“Mom, Nona, I’m home!” Moon exclaimed as she trotted into her house. The unicorn was now seventeen years old and had grown into a beautiful young mare. Her two-toned mane hung down over her face in the most attractive fashion, her light grey-blue eyes accented by long eyelashes. She was easily the prettiest filly in Ponyville, even though she always shied away when somepony said so. Even after three years, she still had feelings for her best friend, Glacier. Many times she considered telling him so but just when she began to, Moon would clam up and say something else. She wasn’t even sure if Glacier still liked her as he did three years ago. These days he rarely had time for his friends what with his mother needing him to look after his younger brothers and sister. To Moon, their relationship was beginning to seem hopeless.

“You’re back early, nipote,” Bella Notte smiled. “Did Thunder Bolt arrive home safely?”

“Yes, Nona, he did. We threw him a little party at Sugarcube Corner. It was fun,” Moon followed her grandmother into the kitchen. “Where’s Momma at?” Bella frowned sadly.

“She is up in her room. It’s that time of year again. You know how she is at this time,”

Moon gasped. “Oh, no. I can’t believe I forgot!” The unicorn rushed up stairs and to her mother’s room. It was the ten year anniversary of her father, Constellation’s passing. It come to be that every year on the day of his death, Starry Night would lock herself in her bedroom, not coming out unless she felt it was needed, or Bella forced her to.

Starry and Moon had lived in Ponyville for nine years, moving to the small town a year after Constellation’s death. Through those nine years, Starry never dated another stallion, devoting her time to raising her only daughter and helping her own mother. She tried pushing away Constellation’s memory, but his filly shared so many of his mannerisms Starry could never forget. The horrible memory of learning of her beloved’s death would be forever etched in her mind.

Moon knocked on her mother’s door. “Momma?” She knocked again. “I know you’re in there. Please open up the door,” Moon sighed. “I know you’re hurting. I miss Poppa just as much as you do.” Moon began walking away as the door clicked open. She turned and nudged it open with her hoof. On floor sat the older unicorn mare. Her purple and light blue mane had several silver hairs mixed throughout. Her usually sparkly grey eyes were now red and puffy, tears staining the sapphire blue fur on her face. In front of her lay a scrap book showing pictures of herself, Constellation and Moon.

“He was so young. Still so full of life,” the mare sniffed. Moon slowly walked over to her weeping mother and sat down beside her, gently placing a hoof over her shoulders. Starry flinched at her daughter’s touch. She then leaned into Moon’s hug and wrapped her arms around the teenager. If one were to look in the room, it would seem as Moon was the mother comforting her child.

Moon felt the silent tears of her mother soaking her chest. She felt a few tears leaking through her eyes and quickly wiped them away. Eventually Starry pulled away and wiped her face dry.

“I’m sorry you have to see me like this every year,” Starry sniffed, pushing several loose hairs out of her eyes. Moon hugged her mother once more. “It’s okay, Momma. I know it’s hard for you. You and Poppa were very close, closer than anypony could ever wish to be. I can only hope my future special somepony and I will be half as close as you and Poppa.” Starry smiled through the fresh tears squeaking through her eyes.

“Thanks, sweetie,” Starry said as she and Moon broke the hug. Moon leaned back against the bed and smiled at her mother. Starry smiled back.

“You are so much like your father.”

Moon looked at Starry quizzically. “How?”

“The way your mouth twists sideways when you smile genuinely and how you treat other ponies with kindness and respect. Constellation always tried to help everypony he met. He was never selfish. He was very…real. There were no surprises when it came to your father,” Starry chuckled. “Unless it was my birthday. Then he was all surprises.”

Moon laughed heartily. “Mom, remember on my fifth birthday when Poppa forgot to get the entertainment for my party?”

“Do I ever. It was quite funny watching him be a one pony band. It was even funnier because the poor stallion had no idea how to play any of the instruments,”

Moon and Starry stayed silent for several minutes, reminiscing of times past.

“I miss him,” Moon sighed. Starry nodded, a single tear running down her cheek. “I miss him, too, sweetie. So very much.”

1 month later

“She’s the kindest pony I’ve ever met. She's smart and fun,"

"Pretty?" Red asked.

"Beautiful! Her eyes just look right through you. And her smile?!” Bolt smiled, thinking of the pegasus mare he had been spending the past couple of weeks with. Sweet Heart, Stone Brook, Phoenix, Red, and Glacier listened intently to their friend’s description. Skye was failing at holding back his laughter.

“I think somepony is in loooovvvveeeee,” Sweet Heart giggled.

“I am not! She’s just, um, oh forget it,” Bolt crossed his arms and huffed.

“Hi everypony! What’s up?” Moon smiled as she trotted up to the group.

“Bolt’s just telling us about the “beautiful and kind” pegasus he met on the train a month ago, which is why we have seen neither head nor tail of him since. And it’s totally because he is head over hooves in love with her,” Phoenix smirked.

“Oooh, tell me more!” Moon clapped her hooves together and sat down beside Sweet Heart.

Knowing that he was not getting out of this without telling, Bolt continued. “Her name is Sea Breeze. She just moved here from Vanhoover with her family and her giant dog. Seriously, he is HUGE. And get this; she personally knows Princess Twilight,”

“Everypony knows the Princess, Bolt. She wasn’t always a princess, you know,” Moon pointed out.

“I know, but she and Twilight go way back. They’re fillyhood friends,”

“Now that’s cool,” Phoenix nodded her head.

“Wait until you hear this. Sweet Heart, you read romance novels, right?”

“Yeah. I have a lot of them, but my favorite is The Bitaly Trilogy by Amethyst Rose,”

Moon nodded. “I know that series. Nona has all three. She loves it. She said that reading them was like taking a trip back to her home country. I’ve read them too. They are so sweet.”

“Sea Breeze is Amethyst’s daughter,”

Moon and Heart gaped at Bolt. “No way,”

“You’re pulling our leg,”

“It’s true!” And her father is Bass Tempo! The drummer for The Delegates!” This time the colts gaped at Bolt.

“Okay, we thought you were stretching it with the Amethyst Rose thing, but this? This is nuts!” Skye Racer said.

Bolt shook his head. “Fine, find out for yourselves. Then you can tell me that I was right and you guys were wrong,” Bolt whispered to himself, “As usual.”

“How about you invite her to hang out with us tomorrow?” Sweet Heart said. Bolt shuffled his hooves.

“I don’t know, Sea’s a bit shy. She may not want to,”

“Oh c’mon Bolt. Get her to come! We want to meet the mare that has stolen our pal’s heart,” Stone laughed.

“Fine. But if she doesn’t, I’m not coming either.”

The next afternoon, seven of the eight friends congregated under the large oak tree by the soccer field.

“Bolt sure is taking a while,” Stone said.

“Maybe he had a hard convincing his marefriend to come,” Phoenix giggled.

“They aren’t special someponies, Nixie,” Sweet Heart said. She then grinned mischievously. “At least not yet.”

Red looked up and saw Bolt, with a grey pegasus mare beside him, landing several feet away. “He’s here, guys,”

“Yo, Bolt! Over here!” Stone called. Bolt and the mare trotted to the group, the mare following closely behind him.
“Hey, guys. I’d like for you all to meet Sea Breeze,”

“Uh, hi,” Sea meekly greeted.

Stone and the others smiled.

“Hi!” Stone said.

“Nice to meet you,” Sweet Heart grinned.

“You’re hot – OUCH!” Skye yelped as Stone kicked his leg. Sea Breeze blushed slightly while Bolt glared daggers at his friend.

“Sea,” Bolt said, still glaring at Skye. “This is Stone Brook, his marefriend, Sweet Heart, his brother, Skye Racer, Moon Glow, Glacier, Red Knight and Phoenix,”

Sea glanced from pony to pony to ensure she remembered their names.

“The guys, Phoenix and I are usually the ones who play while Heart and Moon watch from here. You can stay with them, if you like?” Bolt asked, his caring tone not going unnoticed by his friends.

“Oh, okay, Bolty,” Sea smiled and timidly trotted to Moon and Sweet Heart. The two mares smiled widely and pulled Sea over to the tree.

“Your mane is so pretty,” Heart commented.

“Thank you,” Sea responded. Moon Glow took notice of the grey pegasus’ unique cutie mark; a red heart with a microphone and a dog paw print on the heart.

“How you’d get your cutie mark, Sea Breeze?” Sea glanced at her mark and grinned.

“It’s kind of a long story…” Sea began. Bolt watched as she began telling his friends about her cutie mark story. It was a pretty cool tale, as Sea had been a blank flank well into her teen years, only receiving her mark just three years before when she found and soothed a scared puppy which would later grow into the large beast she now called Angus.

“Hey, Bolt, are we playing or not?” Phoenix called.

“I’m coming!” Bolt spread his wings and floated over to his team, landing beside Stone Brook.

“Nice you could join us, ‘Bolty’,” Stone smirked.

“Can it, Brook,” Bolt rolled his eyes as his foalhood friend chuckled.

~~~
“No way,” Moon scoffed.

“You’re joking!” Heart laughed.

“It’s the honest truth!” Sea Breeze giggled. “Bolt is absolutely terrified of Goose,”

“You’re telling us that Thunder “I’m not scared of anything” Bolt is scared of a puppy dog named Goose?”

“Goose is Angus’ nickname, but, yeah, pretty much. Although, in Bolt’s defense, Angus does look terrifying when he gets mad enough,”

“I’m sure he’s just a big teddy bear,” Sweet Heart gushed.

“Oh he is, very much so. Just not with Bolty,” Sea chuckled. She caught sight of Thunder Bolt swiftly stealing the soccer ball from Glacier, his coat slick with sweat. The grey pegasus blushed slightly and shook her head, bringing her attention back to the mares.

“Darn it, I thought we had it that time,” Skye groaned as he and the rest of the group trotted over to the three mares. The teams were Bolt, Stone and Phoenix and Skye, Glacier and Red. Stone and Skye had the typical twin rivalry and Skye hated when he loss to his brother.

“Nice game, guys,” Bolt panted as he sat down beside Sea Breeze. Sea unknowingly leaned closer to the brown colt, which the others easily saw. Bolt noticed them looking and raised a brow.

“What are you guys staring at?” Bolt twisted and glanced behind him, trying to find what his friends were staring at.

“NOTHING!” They shouted, making Sea flinch.

“Okaaay? Sea rubbed her ear. Bolt turned back straight and looked at his friends once more. Sea Breeze poked Bolt, getting him to glance down at her.

“I should be getting home, Mom might need help with supper,” she whispered in his ear.

“Okay, I’ll walk you,” Bolt replied, standing up and then extending his hoof to help Sea up.

“It was wonderful meeting all of you,” Sea smiled at the group.

“We loved hanging out with you today,” Heart returned the smile as she hugged her new friend.

“See ya later, Bolt,” Red hoof bumped the pegasus. The group watched as the two pegasi walked side by side, Sea practically leaning against Bolt as they conversed with each other.

“So… What’s the verdict, guys?” Glacier asked.

“He’s crushing on her,” Phoenix giggled. Moon nodded, “Totally.” Moon made eye contact with Glacier and the two stared at each other for several seconds. Moon averted her eyes quickly, Glacier doing the same.

Sweet Heart and Phoenix glanced at each other and nodded. Smirking, Sweet Heart rose to her hooves and shuffled over beside Stone Brook.

“We should get going. Our dinner reservations are in an hour,” Heart wrinkled her nose. “And you could really use a shower,”

“Gee, thanks, honey,” Stone playfully rolled his eyes and shook his mane out. Sweet Heart punched him in the shoulder, faking disgust. Stone wrapped his arm around the small pink pegasus and pulled her close, placing a kiss on her lips. Phoenix rolled her eyes and turned her attention on Red Knight.

“You could use a shower, too, Red,” Phoenix said, ignoring her two friends who had begun making out behind her.

“And why should I listen to you?” He retorted. Phoenix glared at the earth pony and nodded her head in the direction of Glacier and Moon, the two friends still keeping their eyes off each other. It took Red several seconds to understand.

“Oh! Oh, uh, yeah. Shower it is. See ya, guys!” Red waved good-bye.

Sweet Heart, having pulled away from Stone, called over to Skye Racer. “C’mon Skye, let’s get going,”

“Why do I have to come? I have much better things to do than watch you and my brother exchange bubble gum,”

“SKYE!” Sweet Heart stomped her hoof.

“Ugh, fine.” The silver pegasus groaned and started off in the direction of his home, Stone following behind. Sweet Heart and Phoenix grinned devilishly at each other.

“Hey, Ice Man!” Phoenix shouted over to Glacier. The white pegasus looked up to the fiery mare. “Why don’t ‘cha walk Moonie home?”

Though they couldn’t see behind his dark sunglasses, Glacier’s eyes had widened excitedly at the prospect of walking Moon Glow home.

Alone.

Without their friends.

Sweet Heart and Phoenix began walking beside each other. Phoenix giggled impishly.

“Operation: Glacier Moon is a go.” The cousins spread their wings and took flight, Sweet Heart heading towards Stone and Skye while Phoenix shot towards her home on the other side of Ponyville.

Moon glared after her friends. Why those little… how dare they leave me like this! Moon fumed silently, listing off the ways she was going to make Nixie and Heart pay. Moon had spent three years, three stinking years trying to keep her and Glacier’s relationship un-romantic, just for her two best friends to leave her with the object of her desires.

“Moon Glow?”

“Eeeii-Hiiii Glacier!” Moon smiled, trying to hide her squeal. Glacier pushed his sunglasses up with a wing, his ice blue eyes penetrating Moon’s own orbs. He smiled and offered his hoof to the unicorn.

“Mind if I walk you home?”

“Um, okay,” Moon took his hoof. She yelped as Glacier pulled her up, not expecting him to be so strong. She glanced at his arm, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the sight. Holy Celestia! Has he been working out? I bet he can keep a mare quite warm with—NO! NO! NO! NO!

“Are you okay, Moonie?” Glacier asked. Moon tore her eyes from his muscles, only to look directly at his chest. Her cheeks went slightly pink as her ears pinned back. She looked up higher and found that her eyes only reached to his neck. This is getting ridiculous.

She stepped back and pushed a lock of mane out of her face.

“Everything’s good. Shall we get going?” Moon turned and quickly began trotting away. Her ear flicked as she heard Glacier gallop up beside her.

Glacier racked his brain for something to say. “So, uh. How’s life going for ya?” He mentally facehoofed. Idiot.

“Everything’s okay,” Moon replied, keeping her eyes forward and off her friend. That’s it Moon. Keep walking forward. No reason to look at that dreamy hunk of stallion beside you. She paused her thinking. I need serious help.

“What about your mom and grandmother?” Glacier continued.

“Nona is great, as usual,” Moon laughed as she thought about her grandmother. “She is always moving. She makes me tired just watching her,”

“And your mom?”

Moon paused mid-step. Starry had not yet recovered from the pain of Constellation’s passing anniversary. In years past, the unicorn had bounded back into her usual routine the next day. This time, however, she didn’t. Moon was beginning to worry for her mother. It had been a full month and Moon continued to hear Starry crying into the night.

“Moon?” Moon Glow flinched and looked up to see the white stallion looking back at her worriedly.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Glacier. My mom, she’s, well—I don’t really know,” Moon sighed as she fell into stride with Glacier once more.

“How come?” Glacier inquired.

“It’s…complicated,”

“Oh,” Glacier winced, hoping he hadn’t offended Moon by asking.

The two ponies walked along in silence for several moments. Moon stole a glance up at her friend. Exhaling, she said, “Glacier,”

“Yeah?”

“We’ve known each other for a long time, haven’t we?” The pegasus nodded.

“Nine years to be exact. I still remember when you ran me over, by the way,” Glacier chuckled, bumping into Moon. The unicorn giggled.

“Yeah, fun times,” Moon smiled. “I have I ever told you why my mother and I moved to Ponyville?” Moon said a few seconds later.

“Other than her wanting to get away from the big city of Manehatten, no, I don’t think you have,”

“Well, I guess it’s time. You know that my father passed away a long time ago, right?”

“Mm-hmm,” Glacier nodded solemnly. Seeing a bench, Moon made her way over to it and sat down, Glacier sitting beside her.

“Before Poppa died, he owned a company, Abastor Robotics. My grandfather built the company from the ground up and Poppa took it over once Grandfather retired. Abastor Robotics was Poppa’s pride and joy, other than me, of course. But someponies like to make others suffer, and my Poppa was next on the list,” Moon sniffed. Glacier had a feeling he knew what Moon Glow was going to say next.

“One night when I was seven years old, Poppa had to stay late at the office. It wasn’t unusual for him to stay late a few times a month, but never as late as he was on this night. Mom always stayed up, waiting for him,”

“Moon—” Glacier began.

“Poppa was killed that night. Murdered over something that was going on within his company, something that he didn’t even know was going on. The ponies that killed him were caught later on and imprisoned for life.

“My uncle, Nadir, took over the company and fished out the ones responsible for the illegal dealings that took my father from me. They too were imprisoned,” Moon wiped away the tears that had begun falling from her eyes. Glacier sat silently beside the unicorn, mulling over everything she had told him.

“The tenth anniversary of Poppa’s death was last month. My mother… she has taken this year much harder than years past,” Moon felt more tears squeaking through her eyes.

“Moonie, I—” Glacier began.

“I need to get home,” Moon cried out, getting to her hooves and galloping away.

“Moon! Wait!” Glacier spread his wings and flew to the running unicorn. Moon Glow continued on the path to her home.

“Moonie! Stop,” Glacier dropped in front of her.

“Leave me alone!” Moon shouted, maneuvering around the pegasus and breaking out once more into a full gallop. Glacier watched sadly as his friend ran away.

“Nice going, Glacier. She probably hates you now.”

~~~
The next afternoon

“I’m not going,” Moon groaned.

“You are going,” Sweet Heart nodded.

“I’m not going,”

“You are going,”

“Am not,”

“Are to,”

“Am not,” Moon was beginning to get irritated at her friend.

“Am not,” Sweet Heart continued.

“Are to,” Moon said

“You’re not going!” Sweet Heart pushed Moon.

“I am going!” Moon shouted, pushing back at Heart. Heart smirked.

“So you’re going!”

“Yes—wait, what?” Moon looked at Sweet Heart quizzically.

“I’m so glad we came to an understanding. Now, we need to find dresses. Phoenix! Get your tail over here!” Phoenix lazily rose from Sweet Heart’s bed.

In a few days, Ponyville High would be hosting the annual spring dance. The entire school had worked hard on preparing for it and Sweet Heart, who was the head of the planning committee, could hardly wait.

“What do you need? I was getting my beauty sleep,” Phoenix yawned.

“Who cares about beauty sleep? This is an emergency,” Sweet Heart said.

“Since when was getting dresses for a school dance an emergency?” Phoenix stumbled over beside Moon Glow and plopped down beside the unicorn, using Moon’s shoulder as a head rest. Heart gapped at Phoenix for several moments.

“Nixie, darling, I know you aren’t for the things of romance, but please believe me when I say—”

“Red and I are dating,” Phoenix yawned once more. This time both Moon and Heart gapped at the yellow pegasus.

“WHAT!” Heart and Moon gasped. Moon stood up, causing Phoenix to fall back and hit her head on the floor.

“What? Oh, and OW!!” Phoenix glared at the unicorn.

“Heh heh, sorry,” Moon grinned sheepishly. Sweet Heart was still looking at Phoenix with wide eyes.

“When did…this happen?” Heart finally asked.

“About a month ago,”

“And you didn’t tell us because?”

“Maybe we wanted our privacy?”

“HA!” Moon laughed.

“What are you laughing about?” Sweet Heart turned on Moon.

“You two, privacy? Did you forget what you did to Glacier and I yesterday?”

“Oh, right,” Phoenix facehoofed. Sweet Heart, however, appeared to have missed the point.

“So, how did it go?” Moon glared at the pink pegasus.

“Horrible! Glacier probably thinks I’m a cry baby now,”

“Why would he think that?” Phoenix asked.

“I told him why my mother moved us to Ponyville,”

“Gee, was meeting us really that bad?” Sweet Heart pouted. Moon quickly shook her head.

“No. no, I love you guys. It’s just that,” Moon sighed, not wanting to go over it again.
“Momma and I moved here a year after my father was murdered. Momma wanted to get away from Manehatten and since Ponyville had such happy memories for her, being this is where she grew up, that’s why we came here to live with Nona,” Moon saw the horrified expressions on the faces of her friends, Heart having her hoof over her mouth.

“Oh, Moonie, I’m so sorry,” Heart cried as she threw her arms around the unicorn in a bone crushing hug. Phoenix joined the hug, too. Moon felt the tears well up again.

“It was just too hard telling Glacier and I ran. He came after me, but I yelled at him to leave me alone,”

“Its okay, Moon. I’m sure he’ll understand,” Phoenix comforted. Heart pulled away from the hug.

“Yeah! He’ll understand. Glacier’s a very understanding guy.”

Moon shook her head. “I don’t think I’ll be able to face him again,”

“Don’t say that,” Phoenix smiled.

“The dance!” Heart exclaimed suddenly.

“What about it?” Moon sniffed.

“That’s where you and Glacier can make up. Just imagine it, you and him, under the disco ball, dancing slowly to a romantic song. It’s perfect!”

“Not every story has a happy ending, Sweet Heart. My mom is proof of that,” Moon sighed. Sweet Heart scoffed.

“Then we’ll help you and her see that happy endings do happen. You just need a little faith, trust and Sweet Heart dust,”

“That’s weird. And you totally stole that from a Disneigh movie,” Phoenix stuck her tongue out.

“I know.” Sweet Heart giggled.

~~~

“She hates me. I’ve ruined everything,” Glacier laid on his back on a limb of the oak tree beside the soccer field.

“What’d you ruin?”

“GAH!” Glacier jumped up and hit his head a limb above him.

“If you ruined something of your mom’s, my advice is to lay low and buy her something nice. That’s what I do,” Skye Racer flapped in mid air beside Glacier. On his back. With his hooves beneath his head. Glacier glared at the silver pegasus.

“Did your mother drop you when you were a foal?”

“Yup!”

“That explains a lot, really,” Glacier glided down to the field. Stone and Red were kicking the soccer ball back and forth. Bolt was no where to be seen, most likely with Sea Breeze.

“Hey, Glacier,” Stone smiled. Red nodded at the white pegasus.

“Hi, guys,” Glacier sat down a few feet away. Stone noticed the down trodden look on Glacier’s face.

“What’s got ya down, Ice Man?” Stone asked.

“Mares,”

“Ah,” Stone nodded. “Was it Moon Glow?”

“Yeah—wait, how did you know?”

“Dude, every one us have known for the past three years. It isn’t rocket science, you know,”

“It is with her,”

“What did you do?” Stone asked.

“She told me why she and her mother moved to Ponyville. Turned out that they moved here because her father was killed. I guess it reopened some wounds for Moon and she ran off, crying her eyes out. I feel horrible,” Glacier groaned. Stone stayed silent. Red and Skye also stopped kicking the soccer ball and came over to them.

“Gee, poor Moon,” Skye said.

“I know how she feels,” Red said solemnly. “My dad died while in service for the Equestrian Military. I was only five,”

“I don’t know how I’m going to make it up to her,” Glacier said. “It’s not like I can go up to her and say ‘Hey, sorry about your dad dying. Want to be my marefriend?’”

“Yeah, that may not go over very well,” Skye scratched his neck.

“Maybe invite her to the school dance?” Red suggested.

“That could work,” Stone nodded in agreement. Glacier shook his head.

“Nope, out of the question. A buffalo has more grace than I do when it comes to dancing,”

“You have to do something,” Stone said.

“Well I’m fresh out of ideas,” Glacier stood and spread his wings, readying for take off. “Maybe we aren’t meant to be a couple.”

~~~
1 week later

It was the day of the dance. Moon Glow, Sweet Heart and Phoenix were Heart’s home getting ready for the night of dancing that was to come. Stone Brook and Red Knight would arrive in a few short hours to accompany the three mares to the school. There they would meet up with Skye Racer, Glacier, Thunder Bolt and Sea Breeze.

“I still don’t know why I let you two convince me to go to the dance,” Moon said as she pulled the curlers out of her mane. She levitated a mane pick and began separating the tight curls into delicate waves. Beside her Phoenix was attempting to pull her fiery mane into a simple ponytail. It wasn’t working out well for the pegasus.

“Uh, Moonie? A little help, please?” Phoenix sighed as she dropped her hooves onto the vanity. Without a word, Moon levitated a brush and mane tie and easily pulled Phoenix’s mane up into the style she wanted.

“There,”

“Thanks,” Phoenix smiled and began putting a light coat of mascara on her lashes.

“Mom! Stop, please. We can get ready on our own,” Moon and Phoenix perked up and looked around the cracked door of Sweet Heart’s bed room.

“But, Sweetie, I just want to help,” Verbena, Sweet Heart’s mother, said.

“No help needed!” Sweet Heart insisted as she practically jumped through her bed room doorway and slammed the door. She then opened it slowly to reveal Verbena’s face.

“Love you, Mom,” Sweet Heart kissed her mother’s cheek and closed the door more quietly this time. She then collapsed against the door.

“Whew, I thought I’d never get rid of her,” she whispered. Phoenix and Moon Glow laughed.

“Now you know why I came here to get ready. Momma would have never let me out of the house!” Moon giggled.

“Are all moms the same?” Phoenix asked.

“Yep,” Moon and Heart said in unison.

~~~

Moon Glow, Sweet Heart, Phoenix, Stone and Red met up with Glacier and Skye at the school. Bolt and Sea had not yet arrived, so the seven friends decided to wait for them before joining the rest of their classmates.

“There they are!” Heart smiled as Bolt and Sea Breeze came in sight.

“Over here,” Phoenix waved.

“Wow, Breezey, you look amazing,” Moon Glow exclaimed as she, Phoenix and Moon surround the grey pegasus. Sea was wearing a simple green dress that brought out her emerald eyes. The skirt ended just above her hooves and flowed gracefully off her flanks. She had a bow the same color of her dress in her mane which kept her bangs out of her eyes.

“Aww, thanks girls. You look amazing too,” Sea smiled brightly. She had greatly changed from the shy mare they had met before. Moon Glow had on a shimmery silver dress. Sweet Heart’s dress was of similar style, only hers being dark purple and had lace around the sleeves and hem. Phoenix had on a short red dress that ended just below her cutie mark, the fabric separating into multiple red, orange and yellow ribbons that look like fire when Phoenix walked. It was the most girly thing she had ever worn in her life.

Bolt moved over to his guy friends while the fillies squealed with each other.

“Dude, your girl looks hot,” Skye said.

“Yeah—Hey!”

“Hay is for eating, Bolt,” joked Skye, knowing exactly what his friend meant.

“Stone, control your brother,” Bolt growled.

“Sorry, bro, no controlling that numbskull. I’ve tried,” Stone facehoofed.

“C’mon boys! Are we gonna stand here and chat or are we gonna DANCE!?” Phoenix shouted over.

The first several songs were fast paced pop songs. This style was Phoenix’s favorite and she kept Red Knight on the dance floor for all of the four songs played.
Sweet Heart, Moon and Sea sat a table off to the side while the boys chatted with each other.

“Moonie, you can’t just sit here all night. You need to get out on that dance floor with Glacier,” Sweet Heart said.

“You’re lucky I even came. Don’t push it,” Moon snapped. She had purposely avoided the white pegasus so far and she had no interest in ending that pattern now.

“What’s going on?” Sea asked, not knowing what was going on between Moon and Glacier.

“It’s nothing,” Moon shrugged.

“It’s not nothing,” Sweet Heart said.

“It’s nothing,”

“Not nothing,”

Sea looked back and forth between the arguing unicorn and pegasus. “Um, sorry I asked”

Sweet Heart paused in the middle of her sentence. She and Moon looked at Sea Breeze, who had shrunk back in her seat. Moon calmed herself and looked apologetically at Sea.

“We’re sorry, Breezy. We didn’t mean to pull you into our… little disagreement.”

Sea smiled. “It’s okay, girls.”

The fillies talked for a while longer when the lights in the gymnasium-turned-dance-floor lowered and a slow romantic song came on. Thunder Bolt walked up behind Sea and tapped her on her shoulder. Sea flinched and turned to see the blue eyed, blond maned colt. Bolt smiled and bowed.

“Sea? May I have this dance?”

“You may,” Sea smiled, taking his hoof.

Sweet Heart stood up to stretch her legs when somepony bumped into her. She looked up to see Stone Brook smiling slyly.

“Oh, I’m sorry, gorgeous. I didn’t see you there,”

Sweet Heart smirked, playing along. “Well then, I believe that an apology is in order. Or you can dance with me. What do you say, handsome?”

“Let’s show these ponies how to really dance.” Stone said as he took Heart’s hoof and led her to the dance floor. They passed by Skye Racer, who had a pretty forest green and dark red earth pony filly swooning in his arms.

Meanwhile, Glacier sat on the sidelines, sneaking glances at Moon Glow every few minutes. She was sitting with Phoenix and Red Knight. He saw Phoenix glance at him and caught a small smile from her. She then turned her attention back on Moon and leaned in close to the unicorn, whispering something. He saw Moon blush and shake her head quickly. Phoenix glared at her and made hoof motions, gesturing from Moon to Glacier. He then saw Phoenix rise off her seat slightly and wave him over.

Glacier tilted his head and, shrugging, got up and made his way over to the trio. Moon didn’t see him approach, as she had her head buried in her arms. Phoenix nodded towards Moon, making a “go ahead” gesture with her hoof. Glacier shook his head, mouthing the phrase, “no way.” Phoenix glared once again and made a sharper hoof gesture. Glacier mouthed, “fine”.

He cleared his throat. “Hey, Moonie.” Moon nearly jumped out of her seat. Composing herself, she said, “Oh, hey.” She felt as if her face was on fire as Glacier’s ice blue eyes looked at her, his gentle nature being shown through them. His mane was neatly styled back, except for a piece of his forelock that flopped down over eyes, giving him a coltish look. If she hadn’t been sitting down, Moon was sure she would have melted into the floor.

“Uh, I was wondering if you’d like to dance.”

Moon felt her breath catch in her throat. He wants to dance? After what I did to him? She looked at Phoenix. The fiery pegasus appeared to be holding herself back. She had a “if you don’t say yes I’ll make you say it” expression. Moon looked back to Glacier.

“Really?” Glacier nodded. Moon smiled broadly and jumped up from her seat. “I’d love to!” Without thinking, she grabbed his hoof and whisked him onto the dance floor. Phoenix looked on proudly. “That’s my girl.”

Sweet Heart and Stone were walking back to the table when Moon and Glacier danced passed them. Heart and Stone looked at each other and smiled.

“Looks like Operation: Glacier Moon has worked,” Sweet Heart told Phoenix once they reached the table. Sea and Bolt were already there, Bolt holding Sea’s hoof as she laid her head on his shoulder. Bolt looked at Heart with his brow raised.

“Operation what now?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Phoenix said.

“Hey, I play soccer, not hoofball like those bird brains,” Bolt pointed at several jocks.

“Don’t call them bird brains,” Stone reprimanded jokingly. “It’s an insult to birds.”

Soon Moon and Glacier returned to their friends. Moon sat between Sweet Heart and Sea Breeze while Glacier went to talk Red Knight. Phoenix had made her way back onto the dance floor and was widely dancing while the mares looked on. Sea went back and forth between conversing with Bolt to talking with Sweet Heart and Moon.

“Hey girls! C’mon, dance with me!” Phoenix called over. The fillies looked at each other.

“Well?” Phoenix trotted over to her girl friends.

“Might as well. Nixie won’t stop until we do,” Moon laughed, getting up and pulling Sweetie and Sea with her.

“But—” Sea started, glancing at Bolt.

“Go on. Have fun!” He smiled.

The four friends danced with each other for several songs, Sea and Sweetie mostly swaying from side to side and nodding their heads to the beat while Moon and Phoenix danced wildly. After a few more slow dances and many fast ones, the night came to an end. The nine friends and Wild Flower, the green and red earth pony Skye had been with all evening, decided to go to Sugar Cube Corner for a late night snack. After getting their treats, the friends parted ways. Before leaving, Sweet Heart poked Moon on her shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Sweet Heart said cryptically.

“Excuse me?”

“See you tomorrow!” Heart smiled. She quickly shuffled up beside Stone, who opened his wing and pulled her close. Moon shook her head. What the hay was that about?

Moon Glow began walking home when she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She stopped mid step, quickly looking up to see Glacier shyly smiling at her.

“Uh,” Glacier looked down to see his hoof still on Moon’s shoulder. Removing it, he continued, “Would you mind going on a walk? With me,”

Moon didn’t know what to say. It was late and she should be getting home, but she didn’t want to disappoint Glacier.

“Okay.”

The two teenagers walked together through the silent streets of Ponyville. Neither one talked, only stealing glances at each other every few minutes. They made their way to the park. Seeing a bench, Glacier made his way over two and sat down, motioning for Moon Glow to sit. Moon complied and sat down beside him, smoothing her dress as she did. She tilted her head back to look at the night sky. It was a clear night, not a cloud to be seen. Luna’s stars twinkled brightly while the moon glowed with its milky light. A breeze blew softly through the trees, the spring air being just the right temperature; not cold, but not hot.

“Moonie?” Glacier soft voice brought Moon’s attention to him several minutes later.

“Hmm?”

“Moon, I think we need to talk,” Glacier said gently. Moon stiffened up.

“Why?”

“You know exactly why,” Glacier stood up and took Moon’s hoof. “Come with me,”

“Um, okay.” Glacier smiled and led Moon Glow through Ponyville and to the outskirts of the town.

“You know this is the way to Sweet Apple Acres, right?” Moon said as the two continued down the road. Her pegasus guide nodded.

“Yeah, but we’re not going to Sweet Apple Acres. There’s a little, I guess it could be called an oasis, just past the farm,”

Moon sighed and continued following Glacier. She didn’t notice him stopping several minutes later and walked right into his flank.

“Glacier! Why’d you—” Moon stepped around Glacier’s plot and looked into the most gorgeous place she’d ever seen. “—Stop?”

“Welcome to my little get-a-way. It’s pretty private and as far as I know, no pony has been here. It’s nice to have when I need to disappear from my parents. And my brothers and sisters,” Glacier chuckled.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Moon said breathlessly as she walked around the paradise. It was completely surrounded by large trees and undergrowth, completely hidden from prying eyes. Moon suspected it was at the edge of the Everfree Forest. There were hundreds of beautiful flowers and plants and in the middle of it all was a pond with the clearest water Moon had ever seen, reminding her of the waters surrounding the islands her family used to vacation on when she was a filly.

“Yeah, it is,” Glacier smiled, not even looking at the pond and plants, instead gazing directly at Moon Glow. Moon caught Glacier looking at her and blushed slightly. Clearing her throat, Moon asked, “So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Us,”

“Us?”

“Yes, us,” Glacier said as he sat down at the edge of the pond. Moon cautiously walked up and sat down beside him.

“I’m sorry if what I brought up last week made you upset. I had no idea what had happened to your father. I’m sorry he died that way,” Glacier said, looking at Moon Glow. She had her attention on her hooves. “But, if that hadn’t happened, I probably would have never met you.

“Moon, you’re my best friend. You’re kind, funny, easy to talk to, sometimes, and you’re always there for the rest of us whenever we need you,” Glacier smiled, looking down into the water. He continued, “But, over the last three years, I’ve began to notice something,”

Moon kept her eyes on her hooves as she felt her heart beating so fast it seemed that it would burst out of her chest at any moment.

“Glacier, I—” Moon started, just be shushed by Glacier’s hoof.

“Please, Moonie, let me finish.” Moon nodded and Glacier removed his hoof.

“I’ve began to notice things, things about you. You’re no longer the tomcoltish filly I grew up with, the filly that wasn’t afraid to get her hooves dirty. You’ve grown up. And when I look at you, I feel… Well, I don’t know how I feel. All I know is that you’re the most beautiful mare I’ve ever seen and…” Glacier looked up and saw Moon Glow, her mane falling over her left eye in the cutest way and her cheeks slightly pink with a blush.

“…And, I’ve fallen head over hooves in love with you,” Glacier finished. He took Moon’s hoof in his. Moon’s eyes remained on Glacier’s as she scooted closer to the pegasus.

“You know,” Moon began slowly. “I’m glad I moved to Ponyville.”

~~~
Starry Night stood at her bedroom’s window. Her daughter was at the school dance with her friends. Her mother was sound asleep in her own room.

Once again, just like every night for the past month, Constellation was on Starry’s mind.

“It’s been ten years,” Starry said to herself. “Why do I still feel like this?”

Part 4

View Online

Part 4 - During the events of Forever Love

Manehatten, 21 years ago

A young unicorn mare quickly galloped through the pony filled streets of Manehatten. Her wavy pastel purple and sky blue mane waved behind her as she weaved around the ponies.

“I’m going to be late! Ooh, I can’t believe I over slept! Darn defective alarm clock,” Starry Night grumbled as she dodged another pony. It was her first day as a receptionist at Abastor Robotics. She was lucky to have gotten the job, especially with her being a college student in her third year.
Abastor Robotics was a company developed by Kaiser von Abastor over twenty-four years ago. When Kaiser retired, he passed the company down to his son, Donar, who was the current CEO.

Starry continued down the Manehatten streets until she came to a large skyscraper with the name Abastor Robotics. The building was the third tallest in the entire city.
“This is it, Starry. Make it count,” Starry said to herself as she pushed through the doors, eager to make her way in the world.

Ponyville, present day

“Bye, Mom, bye, Nona, I’ll be back tonight,” Moon Glow said as she trotted out the door.

“Bye, sweetie,” Starry called to her daughter. She turned back to the dough she was kneading.

“Mother, how long do I have to do this?”

“Another five minutes. Gently, dear, gently. That’s it. You want the ingredients to come together, but you don’t want to kill it,” Bella Notte said to her daughter, chuckling slightly. Starry had never been able to master the art of Bitalian cooking, so Bella had taken to teaching her to the best of her abilities.

“That’s good enough. Now, dump it out on the counter and shape the dough into a long log about three inches in diameter,” Starry did as she was told. Meanwhile, Bella tore off a piece of plastic wrap with her magic and levitated it over to Starry.

“Take this plastic and wrap it tightly around the dough log and I’ll put it in the freezer,” Bella took the wrapped log to the freezer and set it gently on the middle shelf, levitating several other logs out.

Bella noticed the confused expression on Starry’s face. The older mare laughed and explained,

“You put the dough in the freezer to get it hard enough to cut into cookies. It also helps them not melt when in the oven. At least that’s what my mother said,” Bella laid the three plastic wrapped logs on the counter.

“Okay, unwrap a log and cut it into one-inch-thick cookies. One log should make about sixteen to twenty cookies. Once you’re done, place them on the baking sheets about two inches apart,”

“I never thought making butter cookies would be so hard,” Starry finished placing the cookies on the two baking sheets, she levitated them to the oven and placed them on the second rack. Bella set the timer for fifteen minutes.

“It is a bit, complicated, but once you do it a few times, it becomes easier” Bella smiled.

“Thank you for teaching me this, Mother,” Starry returned the smile.

“It is no problem, dear. You never were very much interested in cooking when you were a filly. I’m glad that you have decided to let me teach you the art of your ancestors,” Bella said. She trotted over to the refrigerator to get out ingredients to start supper with. She levitated out peppers, spinach, and zucchini. Peering in the opened refrigerator, she realized that there were no tomatoes or cream.

“Starry, I need to go to the market to get cream and tomatoes for the pasta tonight,”

“I can go for you,”

“No, no, I can go,” Bella insisted.

“I need to get some things as well. I can pick up tomatoes and cream easily,”

“I suppose I can let you do my shopping. I need half-a-pound of grape tomatoes, a pint of cream, not the sweet kind, the cooking cream,” Bella glanced in the fridge once more. “Oh, might as well get another wedge of parmesan. You know how Moon loves her cheese,”

“Tomatoes, cream—not sweet—and parmesan. Got it,” Starry smiled, pinning her hat to her mane and levitating her saddle bags.

~~~

Starry levitated nine bits to the merchant pony and settled the cream and cheese into her left saddlebag.

“Okay, grape tomatoes,” Starry said to herself. Spotting the vegetable stand, she quickly trotted over, selected a half pound and paid the merchant. She turned around as she levitated the container of tomatoes, only to hit a passing earth pony stallion right in the head.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you,” Starry exclaimed, bending down to help the stallion.

“It’s fine, I wasn’t paying attention where I was walking,” the stallion smiled. He stood about a head taller than Starry. He had a light blue coat, a darker blue mane and amber colored eyes with a cutie mark of two backwards facing quavers. He glanced down at the ruined tomatoes at his hooves.

“Here, let me buy you some more,” he smiled.

“I can’t let you do that,” Starry shook her head.

“No, I insist. I’m Noteworthy, by the way,” Noteworthy pulled out a small bag and got four bits out, laying them down on the vegetable stand and gesturing to another container of tomatoes. The merchant pony hoofed over the container to Noteworthy, who held it out to Starry.

“Thank you,” Starry said, wrapping her magic around the container. “I’m Starry Night.”

“Your Moon’s mother?” Noteworthy asked.

“I am. You know my Moon Glow?” Noteworthy nodded.

“I’m a cousin of one of her friends, Red Knight. We’ve met a few times,”

“Oh yes, Red. Sweet colt,” Starry smiled. She shuffled her hooves awkwardly. “Thank you, for paying for my tomatoes,”

“No problem. See you around, Starry!” Noteworthy flashed a grin and continued on his way. Starry watched him until he disappeared into the sea of ponies strolling around the town proper.

“Wow…wait,” Starry shook her head. “I have to be at least twenty years older than him.”

Manehatten, 20 years ago

Starry trotted into Abastor Robotics, just as she had done every weekday morning for the past year. She would work until noon, go back to her apartment which she shared with two of her college friends, eat lunch and then take the subway to Manehatten University, where she would sit through her classes until six o’clock.

This morning was just like any other morning. Wake up, eat a bowl a maple sugar oats and drink a giant cup of coffee, shower, fix her hair and makeup, down another cup of coffee, clean up around the apartment and head to work, another giant cup of coffee levitating along beside her.

“Good morning Daffodil,” Starry smiled to a yellow mare who was walking through the doors of the building.

“Hello Starry,” Daffodil nodded.

“How are you today, Briar Bush?” Starry asked a brown security pony.

“I’m well, thank you, Ms. Starry,” the stallion smiled. Starry returned the smile and continued to the elevator. Hitting the number ‘64’, Starry pulled out a magazine and settled in for the ride up the building. The elevator stopped at floor 58, opening for another pony to get on. Starry stepped over to the side to the let whoever was there in, still looking at the magazine. A grey stallion stood in a black suit in front of the doors.

“Going up?” he asked in a deep voice that sounded like melted chocolate, smooth and intoxicating. At Starry’s nod, he stepped into the elevator, punching the same number she had.
The stallion glanced over at his elevator buddy as the elevator lurched and began going up once more. He took in her features. Light blue and purple striped mane, grayish-blue coat, a single five pointed star for a cutie mark.

“So,” he began. “Worked here long?”

“Only a year,” Starry responded. “You?” The stallion chuckled

“Most of my life, really. My father has been grooming me to take his place once he retires,”

“What position?”

“CEO,”

Starry dropped the magazine out of her magic, the pages bending upon impact on the floor. She looked over at the stallion, quickly recognizing the gray coat and slightly darker grey mane of Constellation von Abastor.

“Oh goodness, Mr. von Abastor!”

“Mr. von Abastor is my father,” Constellation chuckled, his blue eyes sparkling. “Please, call me Constellation.” He extended his hoof. “You are?”

“Oh! Uh, I’m Starry Night,” Starry took his hoof and shook it.

“A beautiful name for a beautiful mare,” Constellation smiled, still holding her hoof. The elevator dinged open. Constellation kissed Starry’s hoof and stepped off the elevator. “See you around, Ms. Starry Night,”

Starry stood frozen in the elevator, staring at the place Constellation had kissed.

“Oh. My. Gosh.”

Ponyville, Present Day

The eight friends trotted into Sugarcube Corner in hopes of getting a cool treat on the hot summer afternoon. After placing their orders with Pinkie Pie, they settled at several tables near the front windows, Sea, Sweet Heart and Phoenix sitting beside their coltfriends. Moon Glow and Glacier had bonded a bit more since the spring dance, though the two were not in a full on relationship as of yet. Moon wished to take it slow and Glacier went along with her, though he was a bit disappointed.

Bolt leaned over towards Sea Breeze. “How about we go somewhere private for a little while after we’re done here?” he whispered in her ear. Sea blushed slightly and nodded. Bolt smiled and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Phoenix rolled her eyes as she watched the two lovebirds.

“Seriously, you two. Must you do that in public?”

“Hey, it isn’t my fault that Red isn’t sweet on you,” Bolt smirked.

“Dude!” Red exclaimed. Phoenix ignored her coltfriend and continued looking at her friends.

“Reddy doesn’t have to be all lovey-dovey for me to know he cares,”

“Have you two even kissed yet?” Moon Glow got into the conversation. Phoenix narrowed her eyes and scrunched up her muzzle.

“Of course we have! I’m surprised you even know what a kiss is, miss “Let’s-Take-It-Slow,”

“Proove it,” Skye smirked slyly.

“Do you want me to bruise you again, Racer?” Phoenix glared, referring to when she threw the ball earlier when they were playing soccer/hoofball/dodgeball. She had hit Skye right where stallions do not wish to be hit.

“I’ll shut up now,” the pegasus grimaced. The rest of the group, minus Skye Racer, laughed heartily. Pinkie popped up between Phoenix and Moon.

“What’s so funny?”

“GAH!” Phoenix flinched, her hooves going around Red’s neck. Her actions just made her friends laugh harder, Pinkie joining in as well.

“Haha. Heh. Ha. ZIP IT!” The table silenced immediately, knowing that Nixie was at her limit. Pinkie blinked and glanced around. She then smiled and held up the tray of milkshakes.

“Okay! Here ya go! Two banana, three chocolate, one cookie dough, one chocolate chip mint, one vanilla and one strawberry,” Pinkie said as she placed each shake at the pony that ordered it.

After finishing their cold creamy treat, the group parted ways.
Moon tip-hoofed up behind Glacier and jumped onto his back, placing her hooves on his eyes.

“OOF!” Glacier grunted, nearly stumbling.

“Guess who!”

“Pinkie, I swear I paid for the milkshake,” Glacier said, his lips curling up into a smirk even though he tried to frown.

“You’re crazy,” Moon removed her hooves from his eyes and wrapped them around his neck.

“What happened to the shy Moon who is afraid of showing public displays of affection?”

“I left her at home,”

“I think there was something in that chocolate chip mint shake you had,”

“Whatever it was, it was good,” Moon purred, sliding off Glacier’s back and trotting beside him, leaning into his shoulder. Glacier looked around nervously and stepped over slightly, nearly causing Moon to fall over.

“Hey, what gives?” Moon glared.

“Moonie, is this about what Nixie said?” Glacier asked. Moon frowned, sighing.

“Yeah,” she said softly. Glacier smiled gently and lifted a wing, laying it over Moon’s back.

“Don’t let Nix get to you. I don’t mind taking it slow,”

“But what if we’re going too slowly?” Moon glanced up at the white and blue pegasus.

“Hey, I waited three years for this, I think I’ll live,” Glacier chuckled. Moon laughed softly beside him. Glacier lowered his muzzle and planted a soft kiss on Moon’s mane.

“Want me to walk you home?”

“Please,” Moon nodded.

~~~

Starry Night arrived home just as Moon and Glacier trotted up.

“Hi Mom!” Moon grinned.

“Ms. Night,” smiled Glacier.

“Hello, sweetie, Glacier,” Starry said as she struggled with opening the door with all her shopping bags levitating beside her. Her magic was limited with how much it could do at once.

“I got it, Mom,” Moon wrapped her magic around the doorknob, the door clicking open.
“Thank you, Moon,” Starry levitated her bags through and set them down on a table in the foyer.

“Glacier, would you like to stay for supper?”

“I should be getting home, Ms. Night. Mom probably needs help with my siblings,”

“Oh, what a shame. I guess Moon, Mother and I will have to eat all the fresh butter cookies ourselves. I believe Mother is also making her secret recipe chocolate sauce,” Starry shrugged. “Well, see you tomorrow, Glacier. Tell your mother hello for me,”

“I think Mom will survive for a bit longer,” Glacier smiled, trying to hold back the drool that was now accumulating in his mouth. Moon giggled as Starry trotted to the kitchen.

“You have zero dignity,”
“Hey, butter cookies are my kryptonite. It’s not my fault they’re so darn delicious,”

“It’s a good thing you don’t live Bitaly,” Moon laughed more as they followed into the kitchen behind Starry.

Thirty minutes later, Bella Notte set a large bowl of spinach and tomato Alfredo onto the table. Levitating over the grater with a fresh wedge of parmesan inserted in it, Bella began serving everypony, grating an extra amount of cheese onto Moon’s plate.

Glacier inhaled the heavenly aroma of the cheese, tomatoes and pasta.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you want to marry that plate,” Moon smirked.

“If your Nona keeps feeding me like this I’ll have to start going to the gym,” Glacier moaned as he twirled the pasta around his fork.

“It makes this old mare happy that you love my cooking so, Glacier,” Bella chuckled.

“You’re the best cook ever, Ms. Bella,” Glacier smiled. His eyes widened. “Uh, don’t tell my mom I said that,”

“Your secret is safe with me,” Moon winked.

After the pasta plates were put in the sink, Starry brought out the tray of butter cookies, Moon following with a bowl of Bella’s famous chocolate sauce.

The four devoured nearly all the cookies and chocolate.

“Thank you for supper, Ms. Night, Ms. Bella,” Glacier said as he and Moon stood from the table.

“Thank you for staying, Glacier,” Bella smiled.

Glacier and Moon walked out onto the front porch and sat down on the steps. Moon leaned into Glacier’s shoulder as the two looked up at the stars which were just starting to appear in Luna’s night sky.

“Star gazing reminds me of my Papa,” Moon sighed. “He used to take Momma and me to my grandparent’s cabin in the mountains and we would lie on the ground with pillows and blankets and star gaze for hours. He taught me all the constellations. I can’t remember most of them now, but I do remember his favorite one,” Moon lifted her hoof and pointed to a group of stars, one being brighter than all the other stars.

“That’s Canis Major. It has the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, also known as the “Dog Star”. Growing up, Papa had an all black husky with a large white circle in the middle of his chest. His name was Sirius,” Moon smiled. She turned her head to see Glacier gazing at her, not even looking at the night sky.

“What? Do I have something on my face?” Moon reached up a hoof and wiped over her cheek.

“You’re the most beautiful star tonight,” Glacier said.

“That would work if my name was Star,”

“The moon is a star, right?”

“No. The moon is a satellite. Didn’t you pay attention is astronomy class?” Moon raised a brow.

“You’re named after a satellite?” Glacier deadpanned. “Well, you’re the most beautiful…satellite…tonight,”

“Real smooth,” Moon rolled her eyes.

“Thank you,”

“I said that sarcastically,” Moon giggled.

“Why you little, I guess I’ll just have to tickle you then,” Glacier spread his wings.

“Glacier, I’m warning you,” Moon glared.

“Too late!” Glacier wrapped a wing around Moon and pulled her close, using the feather tips of his other wing to tickle Moon’s neck.

“Haha! Glacier—hahaha! Stop!” Moon laughed, pushing at Glacier with her hooves.

“Say Glacier’s awesome!”

“Never!” Glacier used the tips of his feathers to brush against Moon’s ear.

“AH! Glacier stop!”

“Say it!”

“Fine! Glacier’s awesome!” Moon gasped for breath. Glacier ceased tickling her and smiled in victory. Moon glared at her coltfriend.

“I hate you.”
Glacier feigned hurt, holding a hoof over his heart. “You cut me deep, Moon. You cut me real deep,” he collapsed back onto the porch.

“Drama Queen,” Moon shook her head.

“That’s Mr. Drama Queen to you, missy,” Glacier leaned up, wrapping a hoof around Moon’s shoulders.

~~~

A few days later Starry Night was strolling through the town square. She had her saddlebags strapped to her back and a wide brimmed white hat on her head. She passed by the flower shop, pausing to look at the fresh cut white Irises.

“May I help you?” Roseluck, a light yellow and raspberry earth pony, asked.

“Yes. I’d like a bouquet of these gorgeous Irises,” Starry smiled.

“How many would you like in the bouquet?”

“Nine, please,”

After paying for the flowers, Starry levitated the bouquet to her saddlebags. As she turned to leave, she came close to bumping heads with a familiar stallion.

“Oh goodness,” Starry gasped, her muzzle inches away from Noteworthy’s. Noteworthy backed away, his amber eyes wide with surprise. He smiled as he recognized the unicorn.

“Is this going to become a regular occurrence between us?”

“I suppose so,” Starry laughed, Noteworthy chuckling with her.

“Well, it was nice seeing you again, Ms. Starry,”

“You as well, Mr. Note,”

Noteworthy smiled and continued on his way. Starry watched after him for several seconds.
They certainly grow nice stallions in this town. Starry shook her head.

“Stop it, Starry. You’re old enough to be his mother,” She whispered to herself. She trotted in the opposite direction, setting her mind to getting away from the town square as quickly as possible.

Manehatten, 20 years ago

It had been a week since Starry had shared the elevator with the son of the Abastor Robotics CEO. Since that morning, Starry had not been able to get the handsome and polite Constellation von Abastor off her mind.

Each time the elevator would stop on its way to and from the 64th floor, Starry’s heart would jump, waiting to see if Constellation was the one the elevator had stopped for.

“See you tomorrow, Water Lily!” Starry smiled at her friend and co-worker as she levitated her hat, coat, and scarf and stood from the chair she had been sitting in.

“Have a nice night, Starry Night,” Lily chuckled.

“You, too,” Starry trotted down the hallway to the elevator doors.

As she reached the elevator, she saw that somepony in a black leather jacket and fedora was already waiting. Noticing the ‘down’ arrow was already lit up, she stopped a few feet away from the pony to wait.

With the fedora hiding the pony’s eyes and the jacket obscuring his cutie mark, Starry didn’t realize that her soon-to-be elevator buddy was Constellation.

***

Constellation glanced at the mare as she trotted up beside him. He recognized her to be Starry Night, the pretty young receptionist he had shared the elevator with the week before. He smiled as he faced back forward.

The elevator dinged open. Constellation stepped back and lifted a hoof.

“After you, Miss Night,” he smiled, lighting his horn to push his fedora back from his blue eyes. He chuckled inwardly at the surprise that adorned Starry’s face. She smiled awkwardly and walked into the elevator. Constellation picked up a hint of a blush on her cheeks as she passed by.

Constellation walked in behind her and pressed the ‘ground’ button. They stood in silence for several floors. Constellation decided to break the ice and start up a conversation.

“How has your week been, Miss Night?” Starry flinched slightly and glanced up at him.

“Oh, it’s been nice, though a bit chilly. The weather ponies are most certainly enjoying themselves this winter,” Starry shivered at the thought of walking home in the bitter wind and from what she saw from a window on the 64th floor, she would be shaking snow from her hat and winter clothes once she reached her apartment.

“Aye, I can agree to that,” Constellation nodded. “Do you have any plans for the upcoming holiday?”

“I am going to Ponyville to visit my parents and some friends.” Starry said, adding a few seconds later, “And what you doing this Hearth’s Warming?”

“My parents and I—” suddenly the light in the elevator flickered, the elevator groaning as it came to a stop. The light above the stallion and mare flickered again before completely going out, darkness flooding the elevator. A small red emergency light came on, bathing Constellation and Starry in its red glow.

***

“Uh-oh,” Starry gulped. She looked around the space, a tightness edging its way from her stomach and into her chest, making it hard to breathe. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw the walls of the elevator begin to move closer to her.

“Miss Night!”

Her heart rate increased with each inch of floor the walls consumed, sweat beginning to roll off her forehead.

“MISS NIGHT!”

She dropped to the floor and curled into a tight ball, whimpering loudly. She felt a hoof on her shoulder and heard a voice calling her name, though she couldn’t tell who the voice belonged to.

“Starry! It’s okay,” she heard the voice say. It sounded like a stallion

“Huh?”

“Calm down. I’ll get us out of this,” the voice was definitely masculine. Starry opened her eyes and looked up into the worried eyes of Constellation.

“C—Constellation?” Starry lifted her head and saw that the walls of the elevator were in their original position.

“Are you okay?” Constellation extended his hoof, worry etched across his face. Starry tentatively took his hoof, Constellation pulling her to her hooves. Starry nodded, a blush adorning her cheeks. She was glad the glow of the red emergency light hid her crimson face. Constellation smiled and turned towards the elevator’s keypad.

“I think we’re stuck somewhere between the 34th and 40th floors,” the grey stallion mumbled to himself. He pressed a button and to Starry’s surprise, a small section of the car wall fell away, revealing a compartment which had a telephone. He levitated the telephone and lifted it to his ear.
“Zephyr—yes, I’m in the elevator—I’m with Starry Night—one of the receptionists—the drive system?—how long will it take?—WHAT?--I know, I know--I suppose that will have to do—yes, thank you.” The grey unicorn levitated the telephone back into the compartment and pressed the button once more.

He turned to Starry, a look of regret evident on his face.

“The drive system died. It’s going to be close to two and half hours before they get it back up,” he sunk to his haunches, leaning back on the elevator wall.

“TWO AND A HALF HOURS?!” Starry’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m going to be late for class!” Constellation tilted his head sideways.

“Class?”

“I’m a student at Manehatten University,” Starry said.

“You are?” Constellation shook his head.

“Yes, I am working towards a nursing degree,”

“I believe you will make a wonderful nurse,” Constellation smiled. “I’ll be sure to let the university know what happened,”

“Oh, thank you,” Starry returned the smile.

“I’m sorry,” Starry said softly ten minutes later. Constellation raised a brow.

“Sorry? I should be the one apologizing. It’s my elevator that trapped us,”

“I mean I’m sorry for what happened earlier,” Starry tried to clarify. Constellation furrowed his brows as he remembered what happened.

“Oh. Its okay, Miss Night,” Constellation smiled gently. Starry shook her head.

“No, it isn’t! I made a complete fool of myself. I should have known better. I thought I had gotten over that stuff,” Starry sighed, covering her face with her hooves. Constellation got up from his spot facing Starry and made his way to her, sitting down beside the unicorn mare.

“Claustrophobia is nothing to be ashamed of, Miss Night,” Constellation said softly, placing a hoof on Starry’s shoulder. He chuckled.

“Would you believe me if I said that I am petrified of being alone in the dark?”

Starry lifted her head and stared at the grey stallion. “What?”

“If it had been just me in here, I probably would have lost it.”

“You’re joking,”

“It’s the honest truth!” Constellation chuckled once more, causing Starry to laugh until she snorted. The mare paused, her eyes widening.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I just did that,” she covered her face.

“I think you have a cute laugh,” Constellation smiled. Starry returned the smile and leaned back against the elevator wall.

***

Two hours later the elevator’s lights flickered on and the elevator moved downward until coming to a stop at the ground floor. The doors opened, a white pegasus with a graying orange mane standing outside.

“Hello, Zephyr,” Constellation said as he and Starry stepped off the elevator.

“Good evening, sir,” Zephyr nodded. “Terribly sorry about the wait,”

“It’s perfectly fine, Zephyr. Miss Night and I had a nice time conversing with each other. Isn’t that so, Miss Night?” Constellation smiled at the mare by his side.

“Oh, yes, a grand time. Though, next time we have a meeting, I would much rather it be at a coffee shop,” Starry smiled.

“As do I,” Constellation chuckled.

“Well, I am glad the two of you made the best of the situation. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m sure the wife is wondering where in Celestia’s name I’ve been. Sir, madam,” Zephyr bowed to Constellation and Starry and made his way to the exit.

“He’s nice,” Starry noted at the pegasus left.

“That’s Zephyr West for you. He is bit formal for me, however. Father says that he used to work as a butler before he came here to work as his secretary. The two have become close friends,”
Constellation said. “I’ve tried calling him Mr. West, but the old stallion will have nothing of it. Insists I call him Zephyr,” Constellation and Starry walked beside each other as they exited the skyscraper.

“Well, I should be getting home. Plants to water, questions about class to ask my roommates,” Starry said lightly.

“It is late, isn’t it?” Constellation noted the now dark sky, though it didn’t seem so with all the streetlamps brightly lighting up most of Manehatten.

“Yes,” Starry agreed, hoping to postpone her departure. When Constellation didn’t say anything else, she smiled to hide her sadness.

“Good night, Mr. von Abastor,” Starry said, tugging her coat closer.

“Good night, Miss Night,”

Starry turned and began walking homeward when;

“Wait! Miss Night,” Constellation called, quickly trotting up behind her.

“Yes?” Starry felt her heart flutter in her chest and turned around.

“Would you mind accompanying me to dinner?” Constellation asked. “I know of a wonderful little cafe just down the street.”

Starry’s face broke into a joyful smile.

“I’d be glad to.”

Ponyville, present day

It was the day of the First Annual Ponyville Music Festival. The small town was buzzing with excitement. It was going to be one of the biggest things for Ponyville since Twilight Sparkle becoming a princess.

Starry worked with her mother in the kitchen, getting toegther the many, many trays of Bella’s butter cookies and pitchers upon pitchers of strawberry lemonade, which were to be sold at a food stand owned by one of Bella’s friends. The mares, along with Moon Glow, had been up late into the night getting all the cookies and lemonade prepared for the masses of hungry ponies that would be eagerly buying them.

“Berryshine said that she would have ice for the lemonade,” Bella said as she levitated several pitchers of the sweet citrusy drink into a box.

“You’re going to be helping her at the stand as well, right, Mother?”

“Correct, my dear. Do not worry, I will be in time to see the start of the concert. You remember where we agreed to watch?”

Starry nodded, levitating a box filled with the trays of cookies.

“Are you ready to take everything to Berry?”

“I am,” Bella levitated her box and the two left the house, heading in the direction of Berry’s stand.

~~~

“I can’t believe we never found out about these sooner!” Glacier said, crunching on a piece of fried pickle. Sea Breeze’s sister, Daisy Juniper, had found a vendor who was selling fried pickles, the sisters’ favorite snack. The two introduced Sea’s friends to the fried deliciousness and so far, seven large baskets had been devoured.

“Stone, I don’t think you need anymore,” Sweet Heart said as her coltfriend, Stone Brook, got up to get another basket. He had already had three.

“But Sweetie! They’re so good!”

“You’re going to make yourself sick,” Heart said, standing up from the picnic table. She looked at her coltfriend. “Where did you even put it all?”

Stone shrugged and rose from the table, laying a wing over Sweet Heart’s back as they and their friends made the way to the town square.

All around the town square, going up the streets and even as far out to the fields which surround the town, were food stands, activities for foals and adults alike, and areas where ponies could meet their favorite groups and musicians.

In front of the town hall, a stage was set up, with the town hall acting as the dressing and resting areas for the performers. Currently the curtains on the stage were drawn, though occasionally they would wave and the quickly accumulating crowd could see glimpses of the stage workers setting up the instruments.

Sea’s father, Bass Tempo, was part of one the bands which would be playing. The Delegates had been around for close to twenty-five years. They were one of the few bands of their time that were still together. Though they did primarily rock music, Bass Tempo was known as the best jazz drummer in Equestria and so the group did several jazz gigs together.

The group of friends and Daisy Juniper met up with Sea’s mother, Amethyst Rose and her brother, Lightning Strike. Twilight Sparkle and the rest of the Mane Six, along with Spike, were also there, waiting for the show to begin.

Soon the stage’s curtain pulled back, revealing five stallion; Bass Tempo on the drums, Rock Blues at the keyboard, Step Beat with his bass guitar, Mystic Rhythm with an electric guitar and Eight Note, the lead singer.

Bass started on the drums, Rhythm falling in behind with a few strings on his guitar. Blues hit a few notes on the keyboard, Rhythm once more playing his guitar.

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord?

Oh Lord

Well, if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before my friend
But I don't know if you know who I am

~~~

“GOOD EVENING PONYVILLE!” Eight shouted in the microphone, the excited shouts of the audience drowning out his voice.

“We are so glad to be here tonight! We know that many of you traveled a long ways to come to this music festival in one of the friendliest towns in Equestria. But we aren’t the only acts of the night. We have everypony’s favorite DJ, DJ PON3!” Vinyl Scratch trotted out on stage, her trademark purple sunglasses perched on her muzzle.

“Also with us is Sapphire Shores!” the olive colored earth pony strode stylishly on stage and gave Eight a light kiss on his cheek. The red stallion’s ears went up and he shook his head. “Ah, Sapphire, you sly kitty. Better be glad my wife isn’t here.” Sapphire kissed his other cheek in response, causing the crowd to laugh. Eight cleared his throat as the Pony of Pop took her place beside Vinyl.

“Moving on. We have many other great ponies and bands backstage that are excited to perform for all of you tonight.” Sapphire Shores and DJ PON3 walked off stage. “There is also going to be a singing competition. I was told not show any favorites, but there are two particularly great young mares that are going to competing. And I’m not saying that just because they are my honorary nieces.” Eight referred to Sea and Daisy Juniper, as the sisters were going to be performing in the singing competition

“Now, there’s a whole lot of fun to be had, so on with the show!! But first, a song written for one of our close friends who is no longer with us,” At that Bass began a soft beat on the drums. Step Beat, Rhythm and Blues followed with their instruments.

“I know you all will recognize it. It’s a song of living every day as if it were your last.”

Manehatten, 19 years ago

Two years.

Two years since Constellation and Starry Night began dating. The two had become closer every day and after Starry graduated from college, she moved in with Constellation.

“Have you finished packing?” Constellation asked Starry as he picked up yet another suit case.

The two were joining his parents, Donar and Flora von Abastor, and his brother, Nadir, on a mini-vacation to a small mountain town in which Donar and Flora had recently bought a vacation home. Nadir’s marefriend, Iridessa, would be joining them as well.

“Almost,” Starry trotted back up the apartment’s stairs and into their bedroom. Constellation observed the five suitcases. Only one belonged to him. He jumped backwards as another fell from the staircase. He stared at it several seconds before saying;

“You do know we are only going for the weekend, right?”

***

“Constellation! Starry! I’m so glad the two of you made it!” Flora von Abastor smiled as she embraced her son and his marefriend. She was a white unicorn with forest green hair and eyes of the same shade of green. Her cutie mark was two green leaves and a pink tulip.

“Nadir and Dessie should be here soon,” Flora said, referring to her youngest son and his marefriend, Iridessa.

“Where’s Dad?” Constellation asked while levitating his and Starry’s luggage into the house.

“He’s out back. Apparently a few boards on the deck have come loose and he’s trying to fix them. I told him to wait for you or Nadir but he’s stubborn as a mule,” Flora frowned. Constellation chuckled.

“I’ll go give him a hoof,” Constellation settled the luggage on the floor and quickly trotted to the back of the house, where he disappeared through the back door just as Starry and Flora heard a hammer strike hoof and the cursing of an old stallion.

“As I said,” Flora turned to the younger unicorn. “He’s as stubborn as a mule.”

Ponyville, Present Day

Fireworks boomed in the sky as the concert’s finale. On stage, The Delegates, Vinyl Scratch, Sapphire Shores, Octavia Melody, aspiring rock musician Ka-Boom, and many other music artists performed alongside the fireworks.
Soon the fireworks ended, signaling the conclusion of Ponyville’s First Annual Music Festival. The crowd cheered as the performers bowed, the curtain gently being let down.

The ponies began filing out of the town square. Starry and Bella helped Berryshine clean the food stand and said their good-byes to Moon’s friends.

“Now that was a wonderful evening,” Bella commented as she and Starry made their way home.

“Yes, it was” Starry sighed. Bella glanced at her daughter, brow raised.

“Are you alright, mia figlia?” Bella asked. Starry’s ear flicked and she shook her head.

“Huh? Oh, yes, of course I’m alright. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“My dear, you are my child. I know when you are feeling down.” Starry sighed once more.

“I…just have a lot on my mind,” Starry quickened her pace, only to feel a hoof over her own. She raised her head to see Bella looking at her with a worried expression.

“Starry, please tell your mother what has you sad,” Bella asked softly.

Starry remained silent for several moments.

“Can we talk at home?” she said finally. Bella nodded.

“Of course,”

Once home, Bella and Starry settled on the couch in the sitting room.

“What is wrong, Starry?” Starry shifted her eyes so she wasn’t looking directly at her mother.

“Momma, how did you get through Poppa’s passing?” Starry asked finally. Bella smiled gently and rubbed her daughter’s shoulder.
“It was a rough few years after your poppa’s death, Starry. We knew it would come one day, but not so soon,” Bella felt a tear roll down her cheek. “The cancer spread much more quickly than the doctors had said. It was a routine checkup when they found it and not even three weeks later, Leonardo was gone.” Bella sniffed and wiped her eyes.

“But how did you get through it? It’s been ten years, Mother. Why do I still feel like this?” Starry cried. Bella wrapped her daughter in a hug.

“Oh, honey. Loosing somepony you care about is the worst thing in the world. Leonardo was my first love, and although it took me many years before I finally said yes to marriage, I never once thought of another stallion except him.

“You and Constellation were a wonderful couple. I remember when the two of you were still dating and the way he would gaze at you so lovingly just filled my heart with joy.” Bella pulled away from the hug and looked Starry in the eyes.

“I know it is hard moving on. It took me many years after your father’s passing. But you have to remember one thing; Constellation loved you with all his heart. If there was one purpose in his life, it was to make you happy. He wants you to be happy,”

“But how can I be happy when I miss him so? We were supposed to raise Moon together. Grow old together. Have the joy of spoiling grandfoals together,” Starry covered her eyes with her hoofs, crying into them. Bella felt her heart break as she watched her daughter be overcome with grief. The old mare pulled her into a tight hug, remembering when she used to do the same thing years before when Starry would go through the trying times of being a teenage filly.

“Let it out, sweetie,” Bella said softly. After a while, Starry sniffed a couple more times and pulled away from the hug.

“Are you going to be alright?” Bella asked.
“I think so,” Starry nodded.
“I’m going to go make some chamomile tea,” Bella smiled gently and rose up from the couch. Noticing the stuffiness of the room, she opened a window before going to the kitchen, a cool late summer breeze ruffling the curtains.

Starry leaned back and rested her head against the cushion. Suddenly a strong gust of wind blew through the open window, somehow causing a picture frame to fall off the fireplace mantle and shatter.

“AH!” Starry gasped. She quickly stood up from the couch and rushed to the broken frame, careful of the glass on the floor.

“Starry, are you okay?” Bella called anxiously from the kitchen.

“Yes, Mother, just a broken picture frame. Can you bring a broom and pan?”

“I’ll right there,”

As Starry waited for Bella to bring the broom and pan, she carefully levitated the picture up from the shards of glass. She flipped it over to see a black and white image of her and Constellation. She was wearing an immaculate dress, Constellation a sharp suit. She had one arm around his, a bouquet of flowers levitating beside her. Starry squinted at the picture, making out a diamond ring around her younger self’s horn.

“Our wedding day,” Starry took a breath.

19 years ago

“Donar, I told you that you should have waited for Constellation or Nadir. We both know how your levitating skills are not as good as they once were,” Flora rebuked her husband as wrapped his bruised hoof with gauze.
“It’s just a bruise, dear,” Donar grumbled. Donar was a dark grey unicorn with a light grey mane that was slowly turning silver, some of it already ice white. He had dark blue eyes and a cutie mark of a hammer.

“It could have been worse,” Flora glared. “Don’t make me have to leash you like a dog,”
Donar rolled his eyes at his wife. “Fine, no more trying to fix things,”

“That’s a good stallion,” Flora smiled, kissing her husband’s cheek. “Now come, our sons and their marefriends are waiting.”

Donar and Flora walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, where Constellation, Starry, Constellation’s younger brother, Nadir and Nadir’s marefriend, Iridessa, talked among themselves.

Nadir had the same dark coat of his father and brother. His mane was black and forest green and he shared his mother’s green eyes. He had a graft cutie mark.

His marefriend, Iridessa, was a pretty little creamy yellow earth pony with a brown mane. She had a stripe of yellow in her tail which was neatly braided and two stripes of yellow in her mane, both tucked behind a mane clip. She had dark chocolate brown eyes, freckles and a cutie mark of sunflower.

Flora smiled brightly as she and Donar came into the living room. “How would you all like to go on a tour around the property?”

“I’d love to,” Starry said.

“As would I,” Iridessa rose from her place on the couch beside Nadir.

“I could go for a walk,” Nadir smiled.

Starry looked back at Constellation, who remained where he had been standing.

“Aren’t you coming?”

“I have a few work related things I need to do,” Constellation lied. “Perhaps you and I can go for a stroll tomorrow?”

“I’d like that,” Starry smiled, trotting up to her coltfriend and kissing him lightly on the lips. “See you later.”

Constellation followed his marefriend to the front door and watched the group until they were out of sight. Now he could do what he really planned; preparing for his proposal to Starry.

***

“What a gorgeous view,” Iridessa said, looking out over the mountains.

“Yes it is,” Nadir said, not even looking at the mountains. Instead his eyes were going over Iridessa. The earth pony turned her head quickly, catching Nadir in his admiration of the “view”.

“And just what do you think you’re doing?” Iridessa glared up at the stallion.

“Uh, I, um, uh—Nice view?” Nadir stumbled over his words, praying to Celestia that Iridessa would have mercy. Iridessa held the glare for several moments, each second Nadir deflating more and more. Suddenly the yellow earth pony burst out laughing.

“You’re so easy, Nady!” Iridessa laughed.

“That’s not funny. I thought you were really mad,” Nadir pouted. Iridessa ceased laughing and trotted up to the unicorn, nuzzling his shoulder lovingly.

“I’m sorry, Nadir. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable—AH!” The mare yelped as Nadir whipped her around and planted a kiss on her lips.

“Got you,” Nadir smirked.
“Why you little—” the rest of Iridessa’s sentence was muffled, as Nadir had imprisoned her lips in a deeper kiss.

Starry chuckled softly as the two lovebirds continued making out. Flora trotted up beside the sapphire blue mare and looked at her son and rolled her eyes.

“Nadir! Stop swapping gum with ‘Dessa and come on. Your father and I want to show Starry the vineyard before it gets too late,”

“Mom!” Nadir gapped at his mother with an embarrassed blush on his cheeks, Iridessa giggling behind a hoof.

“What are you waiting for? Move those rumps. You as well, Starry,” Flora turned and caught up with her husband. Starry chuckled at the old unicorn. She was certainly a Germane mare.

The five continued on the path towards the vineyard. Once there, Starry stood with her mouth agape, amazed at the vastness of the vineyard when she was expecting a small one.

“Welcome to Skyview Vineyards,” Flora smiled.

“Flora and I are co-owners of this vineyard. We handle the business part while our friends, Merlot and Muscadine, handle the rest,” Donar said proudly.

“I didn’t know you were into winemaking,” Starry commented.

“We’ve dabbled in since after Nadir was born. After Constellation took over the company, Merlot and Muscadine asked if we would like to become co-owners of their vineyard. Donar and I quickly agreed,”

“That’s wonderful,”

“I think we should head back, Flora,” Donar said, noticing the sun setting. “It’s going to be dark soon,”

***

Constellation finished lighting the last of the candles in the gazebo that sat beside the lake at the edge of his parent’s property. He levitated over a soft blanket and set it on the floor of the gazebo, setting a picnic basket in the middle. His ears perked, picking up the voices of his parents, Starry, Nadir and Iridessa. Smiling he stepped down the steps leading out of the gazebo and trotted to the group.

“Did you all have a nice walk?” Constellation asked as Starry sidled up beside him and nuzzled his neck.

“It was wonderful! Why didn’t you tell me your parents co-owned a vineyard?”

Constellation chuckled. “I was going to tell you, it just never came up in conversation.” He caught Flora’s eye and winked. Getting the idea, the white mare winked back.

“Constellation, why don’t you take Starry to the gazebo at the lake? It is in the perfect place to see the sunset and it’s beautiful,”

“Ooh, can we Constellation?”

“Of course,” Constellation smiled. He took Starry’s hoof and began leading her up the hill to the gazebo.

“Oh, it’s so cute!” Starry gushed as they came over the hill. The two continued up to the gazebo. Starry paused as they came to the steps, gaping at the candles, blanket and picnic basket.

“What’s all this?”

“Just a little surprise for the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria,” Constellation smiled, levitating a small black box from behind a bush beside the gazebo.

“Constellation, you didn’t have to-” Starry turned to the stallion, her eyes widening when she saw the box. “-do all this?”

Constellation kneeled down in front of Starry, opening the box to reveal a beautiful ring with a large diamond in the middle, several smaller diamonds on either side of it.

“Starry Night, I’ll never forget the moment we met in that elevator. You were so beautiful it took all I had not to ask you out right there. Imagine my surprise and great pleasure when we shared the elevator once more a week later. As we got to know each other while trapped in it, I already knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you and these past two years have only made me want that more. Miss Night, will you marry me?”

There was only one word that Starry knew to say.

“Yes.”

Ponyville, Present Day

Starry awoke to the sounds of birds chirping happily. Most ponies found the sound of a bird’s chirp a pleasant thing. Starry thought it was nice as well.

When it wasn’t at the crack of dawn.

“Stupid birds,” Starry growled as she sat up in bed and glared at the shut curtains over her bedroom window.

The birds, oblivious to the unicorn’s displeasure, continued their morning salutations to Celestia’s rising sun.

“I might as well go ahead and get up. Maybe clean house,” Starry cringed. “Uh, no. I would rather cook a ten course dinner for the princesses. How about a walk instead? Yes, a walk would be wonderful.”
After doing her morning routine, Starry made her way quietly down to the first level of the house and, levitating an apple from the basket on the kitchen table, slowly opened the front door, inched out and clicked it shut once more.

Once outside, she trotted down the steps and turned right. The road she was on went past Sweet Apple Acres. Based on what Moon Glow had told her, the Apple family would already be up and out working the orchard. How they got up so early every morning was a mystery to unicorn. From the time she was a teenager she had hated early mornings. If she had the choice, she would be in bed until noon. Her name was Starry Night, after all. As such, she loved the night and staying up late.

Soon the sun was up fully. Starry estimated it was about seven o’clock and decided to head back home. As she was thinking about what she needed to do that day, she didn’t pay much attention as to where she was walking. Not many ponies were silly enough to go walking this early, right?

Wrong.

Caught up in her thoughts, the sapphire blue unicorn didn’t notice the light blue earth pony coming from the opposite direction. Noteworthy, also caught up in his thoughts, didn’t see Starry before the two collided into each other, rolling over one another before they came to a stop, Starry laying on top of Noteworthy.

“Ahh!”

“Oof!” Noteworthy grunted. He opened his amber eyes only to stare into the gray-blue orbs of the unicorn. He chuckled.

“Yeah, I think this is becoming a habit for us,”

“I am so sorry,” Starry quickly scrambled off the earth pony. “I honestly did not mean to run into you,” she grinned sheepishly and added, “Again,”

“It’s perfectly fine, Ms. Night. Really,” Noteworthy smiled.

“Still, this is the third time,” Starry chuckled. “I’m starting to wonder if you are following me,”

“I can assure you that I’m not following you,” Noteworthy said as he and Starry began walking back to Ponyville. Noteworthy glanced down at the smaller unicorn. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I would think that somepony is trying to get us together,”

Starry balked at that, coming to a stop. Her mouth hung ajar and she gaped at the blue earth pony.

“Ms. Night?” Noteworthy stopped as well, turning to the unicorn.

“Noteworthy, I know you mean well, but I’m at least twenty years older than you,” Starry said softly. Noteworthy smiled.

“Well, you look mighty well for a sixty year old,”

“Excuse me? I’m in my early forties,”

“And I’m thirty-nine,”

Starry’s eyes widened. “Come again?”

“I’m only a few years younger than you, Starry,” Noteworthy smiled gently. The way he said her name and smiled at her made Starry go weak at the knees.

“But you said that you’re Red’s cousin. I only assumed that you were close in age to him,”

“I am Red’s cousin, but his grandmother is the sister of my grandfather, meaning that I’m actually cousins with Red’s mother, Fire Agate,”

“Oh,” Starry said slowly.

“You aren’t dejected, are you?” a smirk krept up on Noteworthy’s face.

“Oh! No, of course not! I’m just-” Starry was interrupted by Noteworthy’s lips against her own. Surprised at first, she soon relaxed and melted into the kiss. A few moments later Noteworthy pulled back and gazed down at the sapphire unicorn.

“Ms. Night, would you like to go out with me one night?” Starry smiled and nodded.

“I would love to,”

She looped her arm around Noteworthy’s and the two walked side by side, heading towards Ponyville, and new beginnings.

Out in a field, underneath a lone oak tree, stood a dark grey unicorn stallion with a grey and silvering mane. His light blue eyes watched the unicorn mare and earth pony stallion as they slowly walked down the road.

“That’s my girl,” Constellation smiled. A breeze blew through the leaves of the oak tree and the stallion gradually faded away, until it appeared as if nothing had ever been there.

Starry shivered as the breeze blew through her mane. She paused and looked out at the field, catching sight of the oak tree.

“Are you okay?” Noteworthy asked.

“Yes, I am,” Starry smiled.

The End

Author's Notes:

Hello everyone.
I hope you all enjoyed the [Long Awaited] conclusion of Love; Reassessed. I may add an epilogue at sometime, but for right now, I'd say that it officially complete! Thanks for your patience while I wrote Part 4. I know it was quite the wait and there were several times where I wanted to pull my hair out! Writer's block is no fun, that's for sure.

Keep your eyes peeled for my next fic, Thundering Rivers, Rivers of Flame, scheduled to be out in about 3-4 weeks, if my artist can get the cover art finished. Her computer has been quite the pain in the butt, but I'm willing to wait for what I know is going to be a wonderful piece.

And remember that my longest fic to date will be launching in November! Around the middle of October I will announce the name and give a small description. I already have an awesome artist for the cover art and based on the sketch she sent me, I know it's going to be beautiful! If you're reading this, ladies, THANK YOU for volunteering your time and talent to little old me. Y'all are awesome!

~SeaBreeze173

Love:Reassessed

by SeaBreeze173

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4