Meeting of Worlds - A Crossover Story

by L_Wolf

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Crossover, Alternate Universe, Human, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Fluttershy
Length: 21029

Mare Do Well, finds herself in sticky situation after magic lands her in a world that isn't her own.

While in pursuit of a criminal Starbloom's magic reacted with the magic of ancient artifact sending both her and the criminal who stole it into an alternate world, both feeling alittle... smaller as well. Unsure if she can get herself home, she starts to wonder if her life it destined to repeat itself.

This is a cross-over Fic with APoeticHeart using his character Toby.
Check out APoeticHeart's story A New Home if you want more background info Toby.

Also check out my stories for history on Starbloom, if your interested in her.

Published 2013-07-12 03:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-31 22:47:03 UTC

A funny thing happen at the museum today.

Chapter 1

Manehattan - Equestria (SB)

Mare Do Well ran after a criminal who had just robbed a museum of an artifact. The curator of the museum had said the artifact was dangerous in the wrong hands. It looked like a simple staff with a sapphire on the top, but she had read enough books to know not to underestimate to power of ancient artifacts.

"Drop the staff and give up!" Mare Do Well yelled to the criminal who just ignored her leaping over a display bucking back knocking it over. Starbloom used her magic to blast the broken display out of the way not in the mood to play games with this one. "Your pushing my limits!"

The criminal turned and winked, waving the staff at Mare Do Well taunting her with it. The criminal was a earth pony, tan in color, with a orange mane and a tail with red highlights and cutie mark of a gem on her flank. "Alright, that's it. I'm done playing cat and mouse." Mare Do Well said reaching out with her magic to grab the staff.

As soon as her magic wrapped around the staff it started to flash bright blinding the criminal, the lens on Mare Do Well's suit filtered most of the blinding light out. The staff humming brightly pulling itself free of criminal and drawing both her and Mare Do Well towards it. "Oh horse feathers," Mare Do Well said turning and trying to struggle away as the pull of the staff drug her closer to it.

There was a deafening blast that knocked both her and the criminal out. The light fading away and the staff rattled to the ground leaving no trace of Mare Do Well, or the criminal that had taken the staff present. The museum curator coming over to the staff and lifted it up in his own magic smirking. "I warned you, this was a powerful artifact and not to be taken lightly." He said shaking his head returning the staff to it's display before going to clean up the mess in the museum.

Ponyville Outskirts - Equestria (ANH)

Outside of Ponyville, near Sweet Apple Acres a ripple of energy started to form distorting the fabric of space and time. There was a rumble like thunder before a loud blast, similar to sound wave from one of Rainbow Dash's sonic rainbooms. As the smoke started to settle two figures could be seen laying on the grass in an empty field.

One of them started to move to her hooves, dressed in a costume that seemed to big for her small frame. "Nnngg... my head..." she said softly rubbing her temples softly looking around. She saw the criminal she had been chasing, or at least a pony that looked a lot like her.

The other pony started to get up as well feeling dazed as well as well as she got to her hooves. "Wow, what a ride." She said blinking as she looked around before seeing Mare Do Well, moving back. "Hey know, we can ta.... what the hay?! Did your costume suddenly get to big?" She asked before looking herself over. "What did you do to me?!"

Mare Do Well was just staring at the criminal before both heard a pony shouting from nearby and turned to see a farm pony coming over to them. "What in tarnashin ya'll doing out in my field, go on, get home! Shoo!" She yelled trying to chase them off, the criminal pony taking the hint and running for it. Mare Do Well on didn't move though, looking at the familiar pony.

"A.. Applejack?!" She asked loudly looking up at her as she got close to her, her eyes wide looking around everything starting to become more clear to her. She was at Sweet Apple Acres, in one of the grazing fields. "It's me Applejack, Starbloom." She said struggling out of the now over sized hat and mask.

"Huh? Starbloom? Look here little filly, I don't know any Starbloom." She said as she watched the her remove the hat and mask of the Mare Do Well suit. "My goodness, aint you the spitin image of Twilight Sparkle though, for an earth pony that is."

Starbloom blinked looking at Applejack, confusion going over her face looking at herself. She was a filly again she could tell that much, but Applejack should recognize her. "But... you know who I am, I'm Twilight's daughter."

Applejack frowned at Starbloom, "Now look here, ya seem to know who I am, so you should know I don't tolerate lying." She said firmly looking down at Starbloom, "Now gather your things and get home."

Starbloom sighed, frustrated and confused as to what Applejack was acting like that. She tried to use her magic to gather up the costume, but it just flickered and sputtered since the headband was to big and wasn't making direct contact wit her forehead. This caused Applejack to pause and blink at the odd display of magic, or attempted magic.

"Figures..." She muttered under her breath. "A.. Applejack, can I borrow a saddle bag, I promise I'll bring it back." She said giving her a weak smile. Applejack sighed then nodded at her waving a hoof for her to follow. Starbloom picked up the hat with her teeth and followed her to the farm house doing her best to keep up in the suit.

"So.. Starbloom was it? Where ya from?" Applejack asked glancing at the small filly beside her, unsure about her. She had said they knew each other and she was Twilight's daughter. But she knew Twilight didn't have any foals. It was hard for her to deny the resemblance though, the coat color, the mane color and cut, even the eye color.

"Manehattan, though I grew up here in Ponyville... before that Canterlot." Starbloom said softly walking next to Applejack doing her best not to stumble over the oversized leggings. "I know, it's hard to believe me... I think something happen to me in the museum."

Applejack stayed quiet as she listen to the filly speak, before sighing and looking down at her. "Here we are, I'll get you one of Apple Bloom's saddle bags, wait here." She said before heading into the house. She was finding it hard to believe the filly, but at the same time something was telling her she wasn't lying.

When Applejack came back out with the saddle bags Starbloom had removed the Mare Do Well suit, and Applejack did a double take looking at the small purple filly. "Well I'll be, that is the most unique cutie mark I've ever seen." She said setting the saddle bags down for Starbloom.

Starbloom blinked and look back at her flank, she still had the cutie mark of the magnifying glass crossing a book and over top was a psychic eye on the sea of gray furr "Yea, I got that... eh after helping someone find something." She said packing the Mare Do Well suit away letting out a soft cry of pain putting a hoof on her shoulder. Her shoulder giving her problem against.

"Hey, you alright there little`n?" Applejack asked going over to check on her. "What happen to your shoulder? For that matter why happen to you? You look like you been roughed up pretty good." She added after getting a better look of the small filly. The skin under the fur over her body had faint bruising, her back left leg looked like it had been broken and not allowed to heal properly and her fur on her shoulder was shorter like the skin under it was scarred.

"It's nothing, trust me it's a long story and I'm not sure if you'll believe me if I told you." She said looking up at Applejack smiling as she raised her hoof pushing the headband against her forehead so the crystals connected with her forehead focusing she lifted the saddle bags onto her back before putting her hoof down. The headband hanging loose again.

"Now look here... little... one?" Applejack started to speak when Starbloom took off down the path leading away from the farm house, the speed she moved stunned Applejack, even with her hurt shoulder. She was even more amazed when she leaped over the fence and cleared it.

Starbloom was halfway down the road leading away from Sweet Apple Acres when she slowed and let out a deep breath. "Sorry AJ, but I don't have time for a lecture," she said softly frowning glancing back at the farm. Glad Applejack wasn't following after her.

Meeting Toby

Chapter 2

After leaving the farm Starbloom started to breath easier, looking around quietly at the country side leading to Ponyville. Something about how Applejack reacted bothered her, she couldn't put a hoof on it though. "Why didn't she recognize me, I know I look like filly again but she knew me as a filly and should of recognized my cutie mark," she said to herself and sighed shaking her head.

She was near the cross roads that went from Sweet Apple Acres, one of the forks lead to Fluttershy's cottage, the other off to Ponyville. She could hear three voices up ahead, two sounded mean taunting someone, and one sounded timid and scared. "Even in Ponyville, I guess ponies can't leave each other alone," she muttered before she stretched herself out a little.

She charged forward and came to a stop seeing two ponies tease, something she had never seen it before. But it didn't matter the two ponies were being mean to it. "Hey! You two leave... him, alone!" she yelled moving forward again. Unsure if it was a him but she took a chance and guessed.

The two ponies turned to look at Starbloom, while the creature stayed hunched down next to a red wagon covering his head with his arms whimpering softly. "Ya? You gonna make us little filly? Love to see you try." One of the ponies said, an older colt earth pony. His friend, a younger earth pony colt standing next to him smirked.

Starbloom snorted and hoofed at the ground a few times before charging forward turning quickly to buck the older colt in the chest. Expecting to knock him back, but her small frame also meant she lacked the strength to do much more then make him grunt. "Uh oh...." she said softly before feeling a forehoof knocked her to side.

"That was pathetic for an earth pony, even a shirmpy one like you," he said turning to face her watching as she got back to her hooves as he started to laugh. "You wanna try that again, come on, do it again it kinda tickled," he said as he continued to taunt her.

Starbloom growled softly and narrowed her eyes as she looked up at him. She gritted her teeth at the taunting. "I am not an earth pony! I am a unicorn!" She said and reached a hoof up to push the headband into place. Her magic sparking around her causing her eyes to glow bright and her mane to ruffle around her.

The sudden display of magical energy spooked both the earth ponies who turned turned tails and ran quickly not knowing what kind of magic she was going to use on them, and not really wanting to find out. She watched them go and sighed moving her hoof down, looking at the small form still huddled down cowering.

"Hey... it's okay... I wont hurt you..." She said moving over she felt really woozy before she collapsed, the events of the day having caught up with her. That display of magic also took a lot out of her. The small figure looked up and saw she had fallen over, he got up and went over to her.

"H.. hey.. you alright?" He asked, as he looked at her. He could tell she was hurt, so he decided to take her home to his mama. He pulled the wagon over and struggled a little to get her into it, despite having trouble he was also very careful not to hurt her any more then she already was.

Once she was in the wagon, he noticed she was at an uncomfortable angle do to her saddle bags and removed them. He placed them next to her in the wagon. He smiled a little before he started to pull the wagon home, with her in it. He looked back at her. "T.. thank you... for helping me," he told her. She had passed out though from the stress, so he made his was quickly back home. Careful not to jostle her around from the rocks on the dirt road.

"Mama!" He called out once he reached Fluttershy's cabin opening the door. "Come quick, I need help." He said his own shyness replaced with worry over the filly in his wagon. He moved back around to the wagon to check on Starbloom. She was still sleeping, the ride or the yelling not waking her up.

"Toby sweetie what is it?" Fluttershy said coming outside going to the wagon and looking down seeing Starbloom in the wagon. "Oh my, the poor thing, help get her onto mama's back." She said lowering herself down as close to the wagon as she could get.

"Yes mama," Toby said helping to very carefully get Starbloom out of the wagon and onto Fluttershy's back after removing the saddle bags it was easier to move her. Starbloom letting out a soft cry of pain when her front foreleg moved at an awkward angle.

"I.. I'm sorry," Toby said biting his bottom lip. But Fluttershy gave him a kind smile and patted his head with her wing getting standing up carefully with Starbloom on her back.

"It's okay Toby dear, I think her leg was already hurt." Fluttershy said reassuring him. "Help me get her to bed so she can rest. Bring her stuff as well, we don't want to leave it out here." She said starting to move inside careful not to jostle Starbloom around to much. Toby nodding and picking up her saddle bag and following.

Once upstairs Toby sat the bags on the floor next to the bed and helped move Starbloom off Fluttershy's back and onto the bed. "Toby sweetie, can you tell me what happen?" She asked quietly so not to wake Starbloom. She started to look her over carefully to see how bad she was hurt.

"Yes mama, I was on my way home from visiting auntie Pinkie Pie when these t... two bullies started to t... tease and p... pick on me." He said, starting to explain what happen. Fluttershy nodding quietly looking over at him giving him a reassuring smile. "W.. well, she came over and tried to get them.. to stop.. I think she hit one, b.. but it didn't hurt him... he just laughed and insulted her, then.. she did something... with magic and they ran away."

Fluttershy nodded quietly again looking at him before looking back at Starbloom sighing softly. "She is hurt, but a lot of the injuries look old. Best we can do is make her comfortable and let her rest." Fluttershy said softly smiling at him. "Bring mama some cold press pads from the first aid kit."

Toby smiled at her and nodded moving to get the first aid kit looking through it he took out some of the cold press pads and bandages bringing them over to Fluttershy. "Here you go mama." He said and she smiled sitting on her hind legs. She took one of the pads and mushed it in her hooves before pushing it carefully to her shoulder before wrapping it with a bandage. She did the same in a few more spots that looked like they hurt.

Starbloom seemed to relax as the cold pads eased away the pain and her slept became more peaceful. Fluttershy put her hoof to Starbloom's forehead and frowned, taking another cooling pad she mushed it again put it against her forehead softly to help cool her down.

"She has a little bit of a fever, come on Toby, let's let her rest." She said softly covering her with a light blanket before walking with Toby from the bedroom and down stairs to living room quietly letting Starbloom sleep peacefully. "I don't know where she came from, but I'm glad she helped you with those bullies."

A Meeting of Worlds. Toby and Starbloom.

Chapter 3

Starbloom woke up a few hours after having fallen asleep, sitting up slowly in the bed grunting softly her hoof moving to her shoulder. Looking around she spotted the small creature she helped sitting near by watching her. When he saw her moving he got up and went over to the bed.

"A... are you, alright? I.. I'm sorry, you got hurt... because of me." He said in his soft timid voice. He looked very apologetic, thinking she had gotten injured fighting off the bullies that had been teasing him on his way home. "Is.. there, a.. anything I can do... to help you?" He offered giving her a shy smile.

She looked around the room slowly before looking back over at Toby, she recognized the room as Fluttershy's room, she had stayed here before with the cutie mark crusaders. But considering how Applejack reacted, she decided not to mention she knew where she was. "Where.... am I?" She asked softly looking at him.

"You're... in mama's house, my name is Toby." He said watching her quietly, "W.. what is your name, if I may ask?" He asked her quietly moving in closer to check on the cold pads to see if they needed to be changed.

"My name... it's Starbloom," She said watching him quietly as he checked on her injuries. "D.. don't worry about me getting hurt either.. those bullies needed to be taught a lesson." She said giving him a smile wincing softly when he put a little to much pressure on her shoulder.

"I.. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." He said moving his hands away seeing her wince in pain. "Mama h.. has a softer... touch then I do..." he said looking down pouting softly. She reached a hoof up and put it on his hand softly smiling at him.

"Hey.. don't worry bout it, I've had worse. Your touch is very soft.... speaking of... who is your mother anyways?" She asked looking him over, he was definitely not a pony. She hadn't seen anything that looked like him before, but she didn't want to be rude and ask him what he was either.

He looked down at her and smiled looking at her hoof on his hand. "My mama... is Fluttershy... she adopted me," she said smiling at her. "She takes very good care of me, along with auntie Rarity, auntie Applejackie, auntie, Pinkie Pie, auntie Rainbow Dash, and auntie Twilight Sparkle."

Starbloom blinked a few times as she listen to him tilting her head faintly to one side. She was more confused now then she was earlier. Things are definitely different here then were she came from, which explained how Applejack reacted to her when she first woke up in the field. "I see, she sounds like she's very friendly if you adopted you." Starbloom said smiling up at him. "Can I meet her and talk to her?" she asked smiling at him some more.

Toby smiled at her, "Y.. yes mama is very nice," he said then frowned softly, "I'm sorry... b.. but mama isn't home right now... she went into town... she should be home soon though." He said and she blinked at the apology.

"Oh, it's okay you don't gotta be sorry. I can wait till she gets home." She said moving slowly to get to her hooves wincing softly, her shoulder had gotten stiff. She felt his hands on her sides as helped her to her hooves. She smiled at him "Thank you, for the help Toby." She said softly standing up, looking up at him, he was just a little taller then she was, the tip of her nose coming to his neck.

He smiled down at her, "Y.. your welcome, M.. Ms. Starbloom. Are you sure.. you should be up though? I.. I mean I don't want you to get hurt more." He said shyly to her doing his best to help keep her steady.

Starbloom tilted her head faintly at being called miss, even as an adult no one had called her that. She giggled softly shaking her head a bit. "You don't have to call me Ms. Starbloom, and yea I'm alright, just need to work my shoulder a little, it's getting stiff just laying in bed."

"O... okay Starbloom, if your sure." he said smiling at her following her as she started to walk down the stairs from the second story bedroom. "If... if you need help.. or anything, just ask me... okay?" He said smiling at her doing his best to help.

She was being slow to keep from stressing her shoulder out. She looked around quietly smiling, it was a lot like the cottage in her world. The second one she had grown up in, she barely remembered her original world. "Thank you Toby," She said looking over at him and smiled moving to take a seat on the soft to rest her shoulder. "If.. it isn't to much trouble, I could use something to drink." She said smiling at him.

"Of course Starbloom... I.. I'll go get that for you." He said smiling as he went to the kitchen to fix her something to drink. While he was in the kitchen she reached up and slipped the headband off. She chewed the back in half and pushed the gems against forehead using her magic she tied the ends together behind her head to keep them firmly in place so they would stop slipping loose.

After getting the headband fixed she adjusted her bangs looking up as Toby came back in with a glass. "I.. I wasn't sure.. what you liked, so I got you some apple juice... I hope that's ok." He said bringing the glass over to her smiling.

"That's good, I like apple juice." She said smiling at him, the gems lighting up as she took the cup in her magic and sipped from it. "Mmm thank you very much Toby." She said thinking for a moment as she sipped her drink, "Say, can you tell me about yourself, and how you meet Fluttershy?" She asked, her curiosity about him peeking again.

Toby blinked and lowered his head with a frown "W.. well, Starbloom I.. I.." He couldn't help but shake as he felt tears start to shed. Starbloom reaching over and softly put a hoof on his shoulder giving him a concerned look.

He let a deep sigh and looked at Starbloom in her eyes as he carefully sat down by sofa to let her lay on it as she rested her shoulder. "A couple years ago when I was six, I lived on a planet called Earth. W... well, I made a wish one night to find a new home, and live with a new family who would love me," he turned his head away so Starbloom won't see him crying.

Starbloom's gems light up as she floated a nearby cloth over and softly wiped at his eyes giving him the towel. But she stayed quiet so he could tell his story tilting her head faintly as she listen to him. She didn't want to interrupt him.

"Two years before I became six, my mommy died in a car accident, and my dad started being mean to me," he shook as he kept his head turned. "He called me weak, puny, and a little brat. The worse thing he said to me was that my mommy's death was because of me." He choked back sobs.

"The night I made my wish, he hit me across the face," he slowly turned his head toward Starbloom to show her that it was his left cheek. Starbloom frowned softly hearing that he was hit, reaching over with her unhurt shoulder to hug him softly.

He swallowed deeply, "The next day I woke in Fluttershy's bed. I was scared at first, but Fluttershy was so nice and caring to me that I felt safe with her," he gave Starbloom a soft smile.

"She introduced me to all of her friends, the princess, and Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle," he reached up to wipe away his tears with the cloth. "I decided I wanted to stay, and Fluttershy decided to adopt me as her own son. I learned the same night, she made a wish to have a little colt or filly of her own," he smiled brightly.

"Princess Luna was the one who brought me here, and told me that me and Fluttershy was meant to find each other," he looked at Starbloom. "Then I had a new family and lived in a new home.

"I see... that explain a lot, thank you for telling me Toby." She said smiling at him sipping her juice again after hearing the story, still upset to learn his own father would do that. But it definitely made a lot of sense to her now. Who he was and how he ended up here, and how he ended up with Fluttershy, it was certainly something Fluttershy would do.

To Sweet Apple Acres

Chapter 4

Toby and Starbloom sat quietly in the living room talking about different things when Fluttershy returned to the cottage. "I'm home... oh my, your awake." She said seeing Starbloom on the couch resting her leg. Toby sitting on the floor to give her space. "How are you feeling?" She asked as she goes over to check on Starbloom.

"I'm doing alright, thank you for taking care of me." She said watching Fluttershy as she came over. She was still pretty bruised up but her fever had gone down. Starbloom smiled up at Fluttershy, watching her as she finished checking her over.

"I'm, glad to see your doing better, if it's no trouble, may I ask your name?" Fluttershy asked smiling at her. "My name is Fluttershy, and this is my son Toby." She said as she introduced herself and Toby.

Toby smiled at Fluttershy then over at Starbloom, "My name is Starbloom, it's nice to meet you Fluttershy, and nice to meet you as well Toby." She said, smiling at him, though they had already introduced each other.

Toby smiled back at her shyly then looked up at Fluttershy, "M... May I show Starbloom around town and introduce her to my aunts?" He asked moving to his feet. "I... if she wants to that is."

Fluttershy considered for a moment then smiled nodding. "If she wants to then I think that would be a good idea." She said nodding at Toby then looked over to Starbloom to see what she wanted to do.

"I would like that, I'm sure they are wonderful people." She said, though she had personal reason for wanting to meet them. She mostly wanted to see Twilight and see if she can find some answers about where she was and how she got here.

Toby smiled and Starbloom got off the couch wincing when her forehoof put pressure on her shoulder. She wish she had her pain medicine to help. Toby paused watching her. "A.. are you sure, your well enough?" He asked seeing the look of pain in her eyes.

"Yea, I'll be alright, it's... something I've lived with for a while" She said taking a deep breath and steadied herself shifting her weight to her other legs.

"Was... your daddy mean to you to?" He asked frowning as he watched her, moving to help her. "I can get my wagon so you wont have to walk."

She paused, unsure of how to answer the first question, of course her father was nice to her. But she couldn't really tell them she was stabbed my Silver Spoon either. She though for a moment shaking her head. "No, my daddy wasn't mean to me.... and I think I can walk."

"Toby, dear try not to be gone to long alright?" Fluttershy said as they started to head outside, "And Starbloom, if you need a place to stay your welcome to stay here with us."

Starbloom smiled at Fluttershy nodding at her, Toby also nodded at Fluttershy, getting the wagon, just in case. "O.. okay mama, I'll try not to be out to late." He said and both he and Starbloom started to walk down the path away from Fluttershy's cottage, since the closet place to Fluttershy's was Sweet Apple Acres they went to Applejack's place first.

Toby checked on Starbloom as they walked, noticing she kept limping and avoided putting to much weight on her forehoof with the hurt shoulder. Though Starbloom tried not to show it, the pain was starting to become to much for her to handle. Toby kept quiet though, not wanting to push her into admitting it hurt.

Halfway between Sweet Apple Acres and Fluttershy's cottage she stopped and sighed looking over at Toby, giving a small sheepish smile. She climbed into the wagon carefully and settled into it. "I guess... my foreleg is bothering more then I want to admit..." She said softly.

Toby smiled at her and reached over softly rubbing her head. "I.. I guess it does, it's okay Starbloom.. I can pull you." He said smiling at her, she smiled back at him as he started to pull her in the wagon as she rested her leg looking around as he pulled the wagon to Sweet Apple Acres, the trip taking less time now that she wasn't slowing him down.

Toby slowed down when he heard a noise behind him, coming to a stop he looked back and saw Starbloom crying softly her face covered by her forelegs. He came over and kneeled down next to the wagon rubbing her back softly. "S... Starbloom, what's wrong?" He asked doing his best to strong.

"I.. I'm sorry Toby... I, just.. I'm not use to being like this..." She said sniffing a bit wiping her eyes with her hooves, "I don't understand, how I ended up here, like this.... unable to walk because of this shoulder." She relaxed as she felt him softly rubbing his hand along her back settling herself into the wagon.

"I.. it's okay Starbloom," Toby said smiling as he kept rubbing her back like his mama did to calm him down when he's sad or scared. Starbloom smiled back at him as she stopped crying wiping her eyes again. She was unsure what came over her, but she was glad Toby was able to help calm her down.

"Thank you Toby, your a sweet boy." She said regaining her composure. He got up and started to pull her again as they continued on there way to Applejack's place. She sat in the wagon smiling quietly as she watched the scenery pass by, Toby pulling her behind him in the wagon.

"Your welcome... Starbloom, thank you." He said shyly blushing at the complement, he was glad he was able to help her calm down and feel better.

Meeting Applejack, again

Chapter 5

It didn't take to long for Toby to reach Sweet Apple Acres after getting Starbloom settled down. He pulled the wagon up the dirt path to main house. Setting the handle down he helped her out and they went up to the door, she was still limping but not as bad as before.

Toby reached up and softly knocked on the door, after a few moments Applejack answered it. "Well hello there Toby, nice of you to come and visit." She said politely then noticed Starbloom tilting her head, "Hello there again, little'n." She said to Starbloom, "Starbloom was it?"

Toby blinked looking from Applejack then to Starbloom. "Y.. you have meet auntie Applejack?" He asked Starbloom a little confused.

Starbloom nodded softly and blushed faintly. "Yea... this morning." She said looking at Toby then over at Applejack, "I'm sorry about, what happen... I was a little confused. I hope.. I didn't cause to much trouble." She said trying to look timid and apologetic.

"Ah shucks, it's alright. If you and Toby are friends, I guess you can't be to bad." Applejack said tipping her hat up lightly. "Besides you did look pretty out of sorts this mornin."

Toby nodded up at Applejack, "Y.. yea, mama said she was s.. sick, had a fever and e.. everything," Toby said smiling at Applejack, "But.. even though s.. she was.. sick... she saved me f.. from some... bullies."

Starbloom blushed softly sitting on her haunches and raised her forehoof of her hurt shoulder slightly to relax the pressure off it. "It was nothing really..." She said softly smiling. "I don't like bullies is all."

"Well, ya might think it was nuffin, but it means a lot to me and the rest of the Apple family. We don't tolerate bullies either." Applejack said smiling at Starbloom watching her as she sat down and raised her hoof. "Something wrong with yer hoof?"

Starbloom shook her head alittle but Toby answered for her. "H.. her shoulder... it's hurt pretty bad... mama said.. she isn't sure... w.. what she can do... to help it though." He said, the blushed looking at Starbloom, "S.. sorry"

Starbloom shook her head and smiled at him, "It's okay Toby, no need to be sorry." She said then looked up at Applejack nodding, "He's right, it's my shoulder. It got hurt a while back, the doctor said it'll never fully heal right. Something I'll have to live with. I lost my pain medicine though."

Applejack frowned softly and nodded as she listen to Starbloom explain after Toby finished explaining as well. "I see, I'm right sorry to hear that Starbloom. Filly your age shouldn't have to live that kinda problem." She said waving both to come inside. "Come on, I'll get ya something to snack on." Applejack said smiling at them.

Toby smiled and Starbloom moved to her hooves carefully. "O.. okay Auntie Applejack, that sounds wonderful." Both followed Applejack into the house, Toby holding the door for Starbloom before following her in, keeping an eye on her incase she needed help.

Starbloom did alright getting into the house on her own and followed Applejack into the kitchen getting onto a chair settling herself. Toby taking a seat next to her. "How would you two like some of the Apple Families famous Apple Pie?" She asked going to get them a slice.

Both Toby and Starbloom smiled at the idea, "T.. that sounds wonderful auntie Applejack that you," Toby said and Starbloom nodded in agreement.

"Alrighty then, two slices coming up." She said getting both a slice and bring it over placing it onto the table for them. "Now, Starbloom. If I may ask, what bring you to Ponyville?" She asked sitting across from them.

Starbloom used her magic to take a pie tilting her head at the question. She wasn't sure on the best way to answer, but she knew Applejack could spot a lie pretty easy. "Well, that other pony in the field with me is a bad pony. She stole something and I was trying to get it back." She said being honest, but purposely vague at the same time.

Applejack nodded quietly as she listen to her explain. Glancing over at Toby who was enjoying his own apple pie. "I noticed your cutie mark, does that have something to do with it?" She asked looking at Starbloom again.

"Yes ma'am, I'm good at finding things... and finding evidence," she said smiling at her quietly taking another bite of her pie.

Toby looked at Starbloom cleaning his mouth with a napkin. "L.. like a detective, or a superhero?" He asked her smiling, "Solving c.. crimes and helping t.. the weak, like m.. me," he said.

Starbloom blinked at him and smiled, but shook her head abit. "Your anything but weak Toby, strength comes in many different forms. Not just the physical." She said, Applejack nodding in agreement with Starbloom.

Toby smiled at Starbloom and reached over hugging her carefully not to hurt her shoulder. "Y... you really mean that?" He asked looking up at her smiling at the compliment.

"Of course I mean it," She said hugging him back softly. "You have a strong heart and strength in kindness." She said moving a hoof to ruffle his heart softly.

He smiled at her and released the hug after a moment, "T.. thank you, for saying so Starbloom," he said, moving back to his seat.

Applejack smiled at the two, "Well Starbloom, yer always welcome here at Sweet Apple Acres. You seem to be a very good filly." She said watching as Starbloom finished off her own pie and used her magic to put the dishes away in the sink.

"Thank you Applejack, I try to be." She said smiling at her looking over at Toby then back at Applejack, "I'll return the saddle bags soon as well. I promise I will."

Applejack smiled at her, "Don't worry to much bout that, it's one of Apple Bloom's spares. Keep it as long as you need it."

Starbloom smiled at her and nodded, "A.. Auntie Applejack, if it's alright, I.. I would like to take Starbloom.. to visit, Auntie Twilight now..." Toby said smiling at Applejack.

"Sure thing Toby, I think she'll enjoy that." Applejack said, Toby slipping from the chair. Starbloom smiled and slipped from her chair as well careful of her shoulder. She followed behind Applejack again, while Toby followed after her.

Once outside Toby helped her into the wagon again. "Goodbye Applejack, thank you for the snack." Starbloom said settling herself into the wagon comfortably.

"G.. Goodbye, Auntie Applejack, thank you.. for the pie." Toby said waving to Applejack smiling up at her before picking up the handle to the wagon.

"Goodbye Starbloom, was nice getting to meet you." Applejack said smiling at Starbloom before looking to Toby, "Goodbye Toby, always nice to have a visit from you sweetie."

Toby smiled and started to pull his wagon with Starbloom inside behind him carefully down the path leading away from Sweet Apple Acres to the road turning towards Ponyville. Next stop Golden Oaks Library to visit Twilight Sparkle.

Talking to ones self

Chapter 6

The walk from Sweet Apple Acres to Ponyville didn't take to long, Toby kept up a steady pace. Even as he pulled the wagon with Starbloom in it. Starbloom smiled quietly looking around at the town as he walked into it. It had been a while since she had been back.

She could see the large tree of the Golden Oaks Library as Toby pulled the wagon over to it. "T.. that's where my auntie Twilight lives. S.. She's a Princess... but she's really nice." Toby said smiling over at Starbloom as he pulled the wagon near the front and stopped.

Starbloom nodded at Toby quietly, she remembered when her mother became a princess. After the shock wore off she was happy for her. She got out of the wagon with Toby's help to keep as much pressure off her forehoof as she could. She still wasn't sure what the best way to approach the subject of her being from an alternate world would be.

She went with Toby to the front door of the library letting Toby knock on the door. She took slow deep breaths to calm herself. She felt nerves about at the idea of meeting her mother in an alternate dimension. She looked up when she heard the door opening seeing Twilight as she stood the doorway looking down at both of them smiling.

"Toby, sweetie how nice to see you again.... who is your friend here?" Twilight asked as she looked from Toby over to Starbloom tilting her head faintly, she looked the small filly version of herself over quietly. Twilight noticed Starbloom as she favored her hurt leg. "Please, come in both of you, your friend looks hurt."

Toby smiled up at Twilight, "H.. hi auntie Twilight... this is Starbloom... her front leg is hurt." He said smiling then looked at Starbloom. He let Starbloom go in first and followed to help if she needed it.

Starbloom made her way in careful not to put to much pressure on her hurt leg as she looked around the library. "Nice... to meet you Princess Twilight." Starbloom said softly and gave her a soft smiling settling onto a cushion to rest her leg.

"Nice to meet you Starbloom, just Twilight is fine though." Twilight said closing the door after Toby and Starbloom had come inside. "How is your mother doing Toby?" She asked looking over at Toby following him to the cushions Starbloom had taken a seat on.

"S.. she's doing very well auntie Twilight." Toby said smiling at her, as he took a seat next to Starbloom looking up at Twilight. "T.. the new baby bunnies are very cute. T.. twenty seven in all, I got to help count them"

"That's very good to hear, glad you got to help your mother with the bunny census this year." Twilight said smiling, before glancing over at Starbloom looking her over more carefully, taking note of the coat color, mane style and color, the gray fur patches, cutie mark and the headband.

"Toby sweetie, could you go to the kitchen and fix us something to drink? Spike is off in Canterlot visiting my parents... and I'd to speak to Starbloom in private." Twilight said smiling kindly at Toby. "You can help yourself to one of the sweet rolls, I got them fresh this morning."

Toby smiled, a little unsure but nodded, "A.. alright auntie Twilight." He said as he got to his feet and smiled down at Starbloom. He went into the kitchen area to start get the drinks, taking his time so Twilight and Starbloom could talk.

Starbloom smiled back at Toby before looking over at Twilight once he left the room. Her look shifting to determination as she looked up at her. "You figured it out?" She asked softly watching Twilight quietly. "Who I really am, and where I came from?"

Twilight nodded slowly at Starbloom, "I sensed it as soon as you arrived here, the rip in the temporal fabric was noticeable. I never expected it to be an alternate version of myself though, specially not so young. Or in such bad shape, what happen to you? Your horn, those gray patches of fur, that shoulder injury... is the world your from that rough?" Twilight asked tilting her head faintly.

Starbloom took a deep breath shaking her head lightly. "My horn... and the fur... is my own fault. My original world I made a mistake, one that cost me the life of someone dear to me. As punishment I was striped of my horn and original cutie mark." Starbloom said looking at Twilight's cutie mark, the star with the five smaller stars.

Twilight tilted her head a bit looking at her cutie mark then at Starbloom's nodding slowly understanding what she meant now. "I see, that type of punishment is very severe. But how did you end up here, most people that get that kind of punishment remain in prison.... did you break out?" Twilight asked looking a little nervous now.

Starbloom blinked then shook her head quickly before explaining, "Luna sent me to an alternate world and another Twilight from that world raised me as her own daughter. I became a law enforcement officer, but when that didn't work out.... I became Mare Do Well. I got stabbed in the shoulder... it just never healed properly from the stress I kept putting on it."

Twilight nodded softly as she listen to her explain tilting her head. "I see, that explains all of that. So how did you end up in this world then?" Twilight asked still unsure of her story but so far she had no reason to doubt it. "The rip in the temporal fabric wasn't caused by Luna."

Starbloom shook her head abit. "I'm not sure how I ended up here. I was chasing a criminal in Manehattan's museum, she had this staff and I tried to grab it with my magic, some how that activated it and we both ended up in Applejack's western grazing field." She sighed softly shaking her head flopping it on a cushion. "The staff didn't come with us either so I can't use it to get home."

Toby came running out of the kitchen and hugged Starbloom around the neck, careful of her shoulder. "I.. it's ok Starbloom, y... you can stay with me and mama." He said trying to comfort her. Twilight and Starbloom both blinked, Twilight looking down at him.

"Toby... you wasn't eavesdropping where you?" Twilight asked looking down at him a playful grin on her lips.

"I.. I'm sorry auntie Twilight, I didn't mean to." He said looking up at her blushing softly. "I was just waiting in the kitchen with the drinks."

"It's okay Toby." Starbloom said as she smiled and shifted a bit to pat his shoulder with her good hoof. "Just, try to keep what you heard to yourself for now. At least, until we figure out what we're going to do."

Toby nodded and let go of Starbloom standing up, he went back to get the drinks bringing them out. "O.. okay Starbloom, auntie Twilight... I will" He said sitting next to Starbloom again.

Starbloom and Twilight using magic to pick up their cups. A noticeable difference in the two is Starbloom's aura was a dark blue instead of purple. Toby noticed the difference in the aura and looked at the two. "If.. if you two, are the same... how come Starbloom's magic is blue?" he asked.

Starbloom and Twilight looked at each other for a moment before Starbloom spoke. "Because, unlike Twilight's magic, my magic goes through crystals, the crystals change the color to a blue aura around what it's picking up." She said smiling at Toby sipping drink. "Mmm I missed this tea."

Twilight smiled and nodded. "That's right, though it is still purple coming off the crystal's themselves. Did your mother come up with setup Starbloom?" Twilight asked sipping her own tea.

"We came up with it together, she found the crystals themselves, I had a dream about the headband though. We needed a way I could use magic, when she discovered magical build up was going to become an issue." Starbloom said setting the cup down and snuggled the cushion. "Speaking of, I'm going to need this one resized properly."

Toby smiled at Starbloom, "We... can go see auntie Rarity... she can resize it." Toby said, "She makes my clothes for me. W.. we might have to.. do that tomorrow though... it's getting late." He said looking at the time. "Mama w.. wouldn't want me out late."

Starbloom blinked and looked at the time as she nodded getting to her hooves. "Your right, we should start back to Fluttershy's before it get's to late. It was nice meeting you Twilight." She said smiling at her.

Toby got to his feet as well. "N.. nice to see you again Auntie Twilight, thank you for the sweet roll." He said moving to stand by Starbloom incase she needed help.

"It was nice to meet you Starbloom, always nice to see you again Toby dear." Twilight said smiling as she walks with the two to the door and opened it to let them out.

Toby followed Starbloom out and helped her into the wagon. "Have a good night Toby sweetie, Starloom, stay safe on the walk back." Twilight said waving at the two. Toby and Starbloom waved back to Twilight as she closed the door.

Toby started to the pull the wagon as he walked back to Fluttershy's cottage, it was still light outside, but the sun was just starting to go down. "So, y.. your my auntie Twilight, just from another world?" Toby asked as he pulled the wagon home with Starbloom in the back.

Starbloom tilted her head faintly as she thought about the question. "Yes... and no, I've almost forgotten my life as Twilight, it's been so long." She said a faint twinge of guilt forming but she pushes it aside.. "I'm happy with who I am now though."

"O... oh... I understand." Toby said and nodded as he listen to her. "So I c.. can't call you auntie Starbloom?" He asked looking over her shoulder at her.

She blinked, the blushed faintly at that thinking for a moment. "That.. might be a bit odd.... what do you call Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?" She asked smiling at him.

Toby tilts his head a bit. "Big Sis Apple Bloom, Big Sis Scootaloo and Big Sis Sweetie Belle." He said with a smile and nodded at her. "I could call you Big Sis Starbloom if that would be better." He said.

Starbloom smiled then considered for a moment looking at herself, then at him thinking for a moment. "More like little sis Starbloom, since your bigger then I am." She said with a soft giggle. She wasn't use to being this small, again, she figured she might as well enough it while it lasted.

An Evening with Fluttershy

Chapter 7

It didn't take Toby to long to get back to the cottage from Ponyville. Once he got over the bridge he helped her out of the wagon and they headed into the cottage. It was just starting to get dark outside. Toby smile as he opened the door letting Starbloom go inside first. "Mama we're home, I... hope we're not to late." Toby said after he came inside closing the door behind him.

"Oh, welcome home Toby sweetie." Fluttershy said smiling over at him as he comes in after Starbloom, "And welcome back Starbloom dear, will you be staying with us?" She asked, Starbloom nodding in reply as she settled down on a couch lifting her sore leg.

"Y.. Yes Mama, Starbloom will be staying with us.. because she is from a different world and doesn't know how to get back to her home," he just realized what he said and looked at Starbloom with fear in his eyes about telling her secret. He noticed that she was wide-eyed and started to shake nervously feeling tears start to form in his eyes "S... Starbloom, I... I am so sorry! I... I didn't mean to tell."

He looked at her scared of how she would react then up at Fluttershy "M.. Mama, I... I am sorry," he looked back at Starbloom and carefully backed away and turned to run up the stairs.

Starbloom hopped off the couch gritting her teeth when her the hoof of her hurt shoulder hit the floor first sending pain through her body. But she fought it off as she quickly made her way over to him before he could go up the stairs wrapping her hooves around him in a hug.

"Toby... it's fine... really it is... your not... in trouble.... I promise..." She said panting from the pain in her shoulder but doing her best to keep it from letting her comfort him. "It was.... an accident... and it's probably.... best Fluttershy knows... as well." She said looking over at Fluttershy, who was both worried and confused about what was going on.

Fluttershy decided now was a good time to be assertive and went over to both Toby and Starbloom, "Okay now, what is going on?" She said looking at the two, "Starbloom, Toby tell me the truth. I promise I wont be mad." She said ushering both over to the couch.

Starbloom and Toby went to the couch. Starbloom wishing she had been more careful getting off the couch now, the pain of walking almost to much for her. But even after all that Toby still helped her get up onto the couch and off her hoof before getting on it himself.

Starbloom looked at Toby who still had tears in his eyes. She looked over at Fluttershy who was looking determined to get answers. "The truth of the matter is, while visiting Twilight... me and her had a private chat that Toby over heard. I... I know this is hard to believe.... I'm Twilight... from a different dimension, a different world.... that's why I look a lot like Twilight from here." She said looking at the floor and waited for Fluttershy's response.

She felt Toby's hand on her shoulder softly rubbing it, she looked over at him smiling softly before she heard Fluttershy speak. "I see, and you asked Toby to keep it a secret?" She asked and Starbloom nodded slowly.

"Me.. and Twilight though it best not a lot of ponies knew, at least not right away..." Starbloom said softly looking up at Fluttershy, "I'm really sorry Fluttershy for the trouble I've caused."

Fluttershy's expression melted from her assertive side to her more kind, motherly side. "It's alright Starbloom, I guess... I can understand the reasons you had. Just apologize to Toby as well," she said before smiling and making her way to the kitchen. "I'll get dinner ready."

Starbloom smiled back before looking over at Toby wiping her eyes lightly. She decided, not to tell Fluttershy she wasn't a filly, if she was stuck here, it wouldn't make a difference anyways. "I'm really sorry Toby, I didn't mean for you to get upset." She said softly reaching a hoof over and wiped at his eyes softly.

Toby smiled back giggling at her hoof fur tickled a little when she wiped his eyes. "I.. it's okay Starbloom... I'm sorry... for telling secret so soon." He said leaning over and hugging her softly looking at her shoulder. "Is... your shoulder ok? You... fell on it pretty hard... getting off the couch..." he said rubbing her shoulder softly.

She winced slightly then relaxed as he rubbed it, it started to feel better from the rubbing. "Yea.. it'll be alright I just need to rest it." She said sighing softly and closed her eyes. "That feels nice actually."

He smiled at her and kept rubbing her shoulder like he was, "T.. thank you, mommy use to do t.. this when I feel and t.. twisted my ankle it made it feel a lot better." he said, he looked over at the kitchen when he heard Fluttershy call to them for dinner.

He slipped off the couch and helped Starbloom down so before they both went to go have dinner. After dinner Fluttershy insisted on carrying Starbloom up the stairs to bed instead of letting her walk. Toby following after, he got changed in the bathroom and Fluttershy tucked Starbloom in first.

Starbloom was to tired to protest and allowed Fluttershy to tuck her in. Once Toby had gotten ready she tucked Toby in as well. "Do you want me to sing to you tonight Toby?" She asked smiling at him, Toby looked over and saw Starbloom had already drifted to sleep and smiled at her shaking his head pointing at Starbloom. "Okay Toby sweetie, sleep well." She said more softly then normal leaning over kissing his forehead before leaving the bedroom to let the two sleep.

Interrupted Night

Chapter 8

Starbloom was having a fitful night sleep, shifting on the bed and groaning softly. It wasn't enough to wake up Toby though, who was sleeping peacefully next to her. She shifted around more before her eyes popped open and she jumped off the bed, her foreleg hitting the ground hard causing her let out a sharp cry of pain and collapse onto her side.

Her good forearm reached up grabbing her hurt shoulder gritting her teeth trying to keep from crying out more kicking her back legs a bit from the pain. But the cry had woke up Toby who put on his glasses and got out of bed. "S.. Starbloom! What's wrong, what happen?" he called hurrying over to her.

She had her eyes closed tight as she held onto her shoulder with her hoof shuddering. He could tell she was in a lot of pain. "Shhh it.. it'll be okay." he said softly rubbing her shoulder trying to help ease the pain. "Mama! H.. Hurry!" He yelled for Fluttershy who was sleeping down stairs.

Fluttershy was up the stairs quickly and saw Toby rubbing Starbloom's shoulder, and Starbloom laying on the ground her hoof on her shoulder whimpering loudly. "Oh my, what happen here?" She asked looking over at Toby while moving over and kneeling down the check on Starbloom.

"I don't know mama, I think she fell out of bed." He said looking up at Fluttershy, he then looked back down at Starbloom. "I think she landed on her hurt shoulder, it looks like it really hurts bad."

Fluttershy nodded biting her bottom lip. "Help getter on my back Toby sweetie." She said and Toby nodded helping to get Starbloom up and onto Fluttershy's back.

Once Starbloom was on Fluttershy's back she started down stairs with her and to the door, Toby followed after her quickly. "Where... are we going?" Toby asked looking up at Fluttershy doing his best to keep up.

"Ponyville General, maybe they can treat the poor dear so she wont be hurting so much" Fluttershy said, Toby nodding at her. Fluttershy stopped and lowered herself so Toby can get on her back, there was just enough room for both of them.

Once Toby was on her back as well. Fluttershy got herself up and started to gallop as fast as she could towards Ponyville and the hospital. Toby did his best to keep Starbloom calm as she rested across Fluttershy's back. But Starbloom was still to out of it to really focus on much.

Toby started tearing up as he looked at Starbloom and very carefully rubbed at her shoulder so not to hurt it. "It... it's going to be okay S... Starbloom. M... mama and me are going to get you to the hospital as soon as we can," he spoke trying to choke back sobs. He felt extremely guilty in causing Starbloom's shoulder to hurt more from yesterday when she got off the sofa to comfort him.

Starbloom shuddered softly as she rested across Fluttershy's back gritting her teeth. She could feel the pain in her shoulder lessen at his rubbing. He lowered his head sadly as he felt Fluttershy gallop toward Ponyville General. He thought to himself 'This is all my fault', as they arrived at Ponyville General and Fluttershy hurried inside.

Fluttershy galloped up to the receptionist window where the head Nurse Redheart stood. "Nurse Redheart, please we need help." Fluttershy said, turning so she could see Toby and Starbloom on her back. "The young filly... on my back, she's hurt."

Nurse Redheart came around to took a look at the filly on Fluttershy's back. "Oh my this is bad, Nurse Tenderheart go get Dr. Goodhealth." Nurse Redheart said as she went to get a gurney and Nurse Redheart with Nurse Sweetheart helped get Starbloom onto the gurney.

Nurse Sweetheart took the gurney back to one of the examination rooms while Fluttershy and Toby sat in the lobby. Toby sat on a chair with his head lowered looking at his lap feeling sad and guilty. He turned over to Fluttershy "M... mama, it's all my fault Starbloom is hurt worse than she was," he started tearing up as Fluttershy pulled him to her side to try and comfort him.

"Shhh Toby sweetie, it wasn't your fault." Fluttershy said as she rubbed against his back to calm him down. "That was an accident and she forgave you for it. Please calm down she'll be alright in Dr. Goodhealth's care." Fluttershy continued smiling down at him.

Almost an hour after taking her back, Dr. Goodhealth came out. "Ms Fluttershy, I have looked over the young filly you brought in and the outlook isn't good. The damage to her shoulder is.... to be honest, I have only seen this type of damage on a filly who has been through years of abuse with out proper treatment."

Fluttershy's eyes widened when she heard what the doctor was telling her. "Dr. Goodhealth is there anything you can do to help her? I honestly don't know what has happen to her, all she would ever say is she was hurt and it never healed. She did.. jump off the couch and hurt it... I also think she might of fallen out of bed and hurt it again." Fluttershy said looking up at the doctor.

Toby bit his bottom lip before speaking up. "S.. she was stabbed, in the shoulder...." He said looking at Fluttershy. "I'm s.. sorry... it.. was part of the secret... b.. but I think the doctor should know"

Fluttershy smiled and rubbed his back softly nodding at him. "Yes Toby sweetie, the doctor should know that, it might help. Thank you for letting use know." She said softly to him then looked up at the doctor.

"Hmm that does explain a lot." Dr. Goodheart said as she listen the two explain what they knew. "From what we can tell, the nerves in her shoulder have been damaged, most likely from the fall or the jump some of them have been pushed in between the joint of her shoulder."

Fluttershy softly rubbed Toby's back as he was on the verge of tears again trying to calm him, he was again thinking this as his fault for her jumping off the couch to comfort him. "Shh it's okay Toby." she said softly before looking at the doctor. "Is... is there anything you can do?"

"I'm afraid the only option is surgery to repair as much of the damage as we can, the amount of pain medicine she would need to help would be to much for her small body. But we need permission from her guardian or a parent before we can do the surgery." He said looking at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy bit her bottom lip thinking for a moment before nodding. "I'm her guardian while she's here, I give permission to do the surgery." She said as firmly as she could, but she just hoped in the back of her mind she wasn't making a mistake.

The doctor held out a consent form in his magic and she signed it, once signed the doctor headed to the back to get Starbloom ready for the surgery. Fluttershy sat quietly in the waiting room holding Toby close to her in his lap as he shook softly, worried about what was going to happen to Starbloom. Fluttershy softly rubbing his back to keep him calm while she herself tried to stay calm.

A blue balloon

Chapter 9

Roughly three hours after Fluttershy gave her consent to allow the operation on Starbloom, Nurse Redheart came over to her and Toby. Toby had fallen asleep in Fluttershy's forehooves. Fluttershy looked up at the nurse. "H.. how is she?" Fluttershy asked timidly. She had been really nerves ever since giving the doctor permission to do the operation.

Nurse Redheart smiled at Fluttershy softly. "She is resting quietly in a recovery room. We wont know if the operation was successful till she wakes up though." She said softly looking at the two quietly. "You can go back and wait for her to wake up in her room."

Fluttershy nodded and carefully got up putting Toby on her back so not to wake him up. She followed Nurse Redheart to the room Starbloom was recovering in. Starbloom was asleep, a small IV in her shoulder, and a few wires had been hooked into monitors to keep an eye on her vitals. The shoulder they had worked on was bandaged up.

"My goodness, the poor little thing." Fluttershy going over to look at her quietly. She was still having doubt as to if she should of allowed it or not. "How long will she be asleep?" She asked looking over at Nurse Redheart.

"Another couple of hours, the doctor gave her a sedative, along with antibiotics and pain medicine. She might be a little confused when she wakes up, but that's normal." Nurse Redheart said before nodding at Fluttershy to go back to her rounds.

"Thank you Nurse Redheart," Fluttershy said smiling at her as she left before going to a long sofa and carefully moved Toby from her back to the sofa so he could sleep. She went over to the bed and sat quietly watching Starbloom sleep.

She glanced up seeing a balloon next to the bed, it was blue and had the words. 'It's a Boy' written on it. Fluttershy smiled at the balloon, giggling softly to herself. "Guess, the pony who had the room before had a baby." She said softly before turning to check on Toby to make sure he was still asleep and comfortable.

Fluttershy had eventually fallen asleep, going between watching Starbloom and checking on Toby. The events of the night catching up to her she curled up next to the sofa Toby was asleep on and fallen asleep herself.

Starbloom slowly woke up early in the morning looking around, her eyes caught sight of the balloon and blinked slowly. "B..boy...?" She said softly confused, she didn't remember getting pregnant.

Like Nurse Redheart had said she was slightly confused waking up from the cocktail of medicines they gave her. "S.. Sweetie?" She called looking around blinking when she saw Toby and Fluttershy shaking her head. She reached a hoof up rubbing her eyes. Slowly her mind unclouded and she remembered what happen. "Fluttershy? Toby?" She called over at them.

Her calls eventually waking up Fluttershy who got up and came over to her. "Good morning Starbloom, how are you feeling?" She asked softly smiling at her. Starbloom looked at her smiling before looking up at the balloon.

"A little confused, almost thought I had a foal when I woke up. What happen?" She asked looking over at Fluttershy. She caught some movement behind Fluttershy as Toby woke up as well. "Morning.. Toby" She called over to him smiling.

"S.. Starbloom?" Toby said before getting up and putting on his glasses heading over to her bed. "O.. Oh Starbloom, your awake...." He said smiling at her tears forming in his eyes, relieved she seemed to be okay.

Flutteshy was about to answer when she heard Starbloom call over to Toby, she turned and smiled watching as he came over to the bed. "Morning Toby sweetie. Did you sleep well?" Fluttershy asked smiling down at Toby. Toby looked up at her and nodded smiling. Fluttershy smiling back before looking over to Starbloom.

"Starbloom, I'm not sure what happen, you was on the floor in the bedroom and your shoulder was hurting really bad.... we brought you here and...." Fluttershy said and took a deep breath biting her bottom lip. "I'm so sorry Starbloom, I let them operate on your shoulder. I had to make a choice quickly and I couldn't stand the thought of you in pain." Fluttershy said looking at Starbloom.

Starbloom was quiet for a few moments, looking at her shoulder moving it slowly it was sore from the surgery but it felt alright to her. She looked over at Fluttershy and smiled softly at her. "It... it's fine Fluttershy, thank you for making the choice." She said looking at her before looking over at Toby.

Toby looked up at Starbloom fidgeting a bit. "I'm s.. sorry to.... for causing you to h.. hurt you shoulder by jumping off the couch.... and... I... I told the doctor... about your stab wound." He said softly wiping at his eyes softly.

Starbloom tilted her head softly at him "That... wasn't your fault Toby, I jumped off myself..... I should of known better. As for telling the doctor about the stabbing.... thank you, they needed to know that." She said softly smiling at Toby before laying back on the bed.

Toby smiled at her looking as she laid back on the bed. "I'm g.. glad your okay Starbloom."

Fluttershy nodded and smiled at Starbloom. "I'm very happy your okay, now just rest and you should be feeling well enough to come home." She said to her softly.

Starbloom looked over at Fluttershy and smiled nodding at her quietly. "Thank you, Fluttershy, for everything." She said before resting herself into the bed again. She wish she could go back home, but if she was going to be stuck here, would be nice to be back at Fluttershy's cottage then in a hospital room.

Starbloom glanced up at the balloon again smirking softly. She wonder where it came from, she guessed it was left over from the pony who had the room before her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes relaxing quietly.

Coming Home

Chapter 10

Starbloom didn't have to wait long before she was released back into Fluttershy's care. They did a few tests on her to make sure she could still use her leg and move her shoulder. Once everything had checked out she was released. She rested across Fluttershy's back quietly as Fluttershy carried her back to the cottage.

Toby was also riding on Fluttershy's back as they went home. "A.. are you feeling okay Starbloom?" Toby asked softly watching her. Starbloom lifted her head and looked at Toby smiling at him.

"Yes.. I'm alright, my shoulder doesn't hurt as bad as it did when I woke up." Starbloom said smiling at him again. "Thank you, for being so nice."

Toby blushed softly and smiled back at her. "Y.. your welcome Starbloom, I... I'm glad your feeling better." He said as he reached over and softly rubbed the top of her head. "W.. who do you want to visit... after your healed enough?"

Starbloom smiled at him and considered for a moment. "Rarity, I need to get my headband fixed so it fits properly again." She said nodding softly at him.

Toby smiled at her, "Auntie Rarity is g.. good at that, I'm sure she could f.. fix it for you." Toby said looking up when Fluttershy stopped.

"We're home my little ones." Fluttershy said smiling as she lowered herself down so Toby could get off. Starbloom moved and got off as well. "Easy now Starbloom, the doctor said not to push it to much the first few days."

Starbloom nodded at Fluttershy smiling softly. "I'll be careful. I'm, just use to being active." She said following her into the house. Toby still following after her to be ready incase she needed help.

"I... I'll make sure she doesn't over do it mama." Toby said smiling at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy smiled at both and nodded. "Alright, just go easy. No need to push yourself to hard the first day." Fluttershy said looking at the two. "I'll go make some dinner for us."

"Okay mama," Toby said smiling at her and looked over at Starbloom.

"Thank you Fluttershy, that sounds nice." She said smiling as well before moving to rest on the couch. Toby came over and climbed onto the couch sitting next to her.

"S.. Starbloom, I was wondering... w.. who is Mare Do Well?" She asked looking at her, he heard her mention the name when talking to his auntie Twilight. "I.. if it's ok for me to ask."

Starbloom tilted her head faintly, unsure how to answer at first. "It's ok... I don't mind you asking." She said and though a bit more on the question. "Mare Do Well... is a symbol, a symbol that says, bad ponies will be stopped." She said smiling at him.

Toby thought about the answer for a moment. "K.. kind of like Superman?" He asked, when she gave him a confused look he continued. "T.. the world I came from, had a h.. hero named Superman. He w.. was fast, strong and h.. help everyone who needed it."

She considered what he said then smiled. "Yea, I guess it's like that. I help as many ponies as I can." She said rubbing his back abit. "So guess it's kind of like Superman."

Toby smiled at her and hugged her carefully. "So y.. your a superhero. B.. back in your world." He said giggling softly at her.

Starbloom smiled at him and hugged him back softly. "Yea.. guess so." She wasn't sure if she considered herself a superhero, she just did her best to help out.

A few minutes later Fluttershy came out smiling over at the two. "Okay, my little ones. Dinner is ready." She said watching them. Toby got down and helped Starbloom so she wouldn't stress her shoulder before they both followed Fluttershy into the kitchen and dining area to have dinner.

After dinner, Toby went to take a bath while Fluttershy helped Starbloom get washed up. With her shoulder and the stitch from surgery she couldn't take a shower herself.

"Just let me know if I'm being to rough Starbloom." Fluttershy said after carefully removing the bandages from around her shoulder.

"I will Fluttershy," Starbloom said climbing into a wash basin and relaxing into the warm water. She had told Fluttershy she could handle it herself, but Fluttershy wanted to help so she let her.

Fluttershy gently started to wet down her coat, careful of her shoulder before using a soft brush to wash her coat out. "Does that feel okay Starbloom?" She asked watching her to make sure she wasn't being hurt.

"Yea, that feels nice Fluttershy." She said smiling at her, looking at her shoulder. She hadn't seen it since it had been wrapped in bandages. They had shaved her coat around the shoulder and she could see the old scarring from the muzzle blade stab.

She took a deep breath and relaxed as Fluttershy softly washed her coat clean. "Okay, turn your head to the side Starbloom, so I can do your mane."

Starbloom looked over at Fluttershy then nodded smiling turning her head so her mane draped over her unhurt shoulder, she closed her eyes again and felt as Fluttershy carefully wet it down then washed it. "There we go, all done Starbloom." Fluttershy said softly smiling.

Starbloom smiled and opened her eyes moving to her hooves getting out the wash basin. She squeaked a bit feeling Fluttershy start to dry her off. Blushing softly, not use to being cared for like this.

After she was dry Fluttershy gently wrapped her shoulder with a fresh bandage before they went back inside seeing Toby waiting for them on the couch, dressed in a soft blue set of pajamas. "All done mama?" He asked smiling.

"Yes dear. Are you two ready for bed now?" Fluttershy asked smiling at them. Toby and Starbloom nodding up at her.

"Yes mama, I'm ready." Toby said smiling at her.

Starbloom nodding up at Fluttershy smiling at her. "Yes Fluttershy, I'm ready to get some rest."

Fluttershy smiled at them and both followed her up to the bedroom. Toby helped Starbloom into bed before getting himself. Placing his glasses on the night stand.

Fluttershy smiled and tucked them both into bed gently before sitting on Toby's side. "How about a lullaby?" She asked looking at Toby and he smiled before looking at Starbloom. Starbloom tilted her head faintly then smiled nodding.

"Okay mama, a.. lullaby sounds nice." Toby said and smiled snuggling under the covers.

Fluttershy smiled at him and nodded closing her eyes for a moment before starting to softly sing to them.

Sleep my child and peace attend thee
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I, my loving vigil keeping
All through the night

While the moon her watch is keeping
All through the night
While the weary world is sleeping
All through the night
O'er thy spirit gently stealing
Visions of delight revealing
Breathes a pure and holy feeling
All through the night

Fluttershy smiled as she looked at the two once she finished singing. "Sleep well my little ones." She said softly seeing the two had fallen into a peaceful sleep. She moved to her hooves and made her way down stairs.

Author's Note

I didn't want to ponify this lovely little lullaby. So I left the lyrics as is.

A morning with Fluttershy

Chapter 11

Starbloom woke up slowly yawning softly, it was still pretty early in the morning. Toby was still sleeping next to her in bed, she rolled over and carefully got off the bed. Her hooves carefully touching down on the floor being as quiet as she could.

After she got up she made her way to her saddle bags and opened it looking at the Mare Do Well costume taking a deep breath. She wasn't sure what to do, she sighed softly and frowned closing the saddle bags. She didn't really want to get rid of it, but it was way to big for her right now. She thought about taking it with her to Rarity and having it resized for her current size.

She winched feeling her shoulder get sore looking down at it quietly. It was just the normal pain of post surgery though. She started to make her way down the stairs as much as it hurt, it felt a lot better though. It wasn't as stiff or hurt to move it.

After she got down stairs she looked over seeing Fluttershy curled up on the couch sleeping quietly. She headed over and into the kitchen looking around. It was a simple lay out, she could see a lot of different storage areas for the different animal feed.

She hadn't really been in Fluttershy's kitchen so she wasn't sure where anything was. She checked a few cabinets before finding and getting a cup and filled it with water taking a drink. She heard some movement and looked behind her seeing Fluttershy.

"Oh, good morning Starbloom. Are you feeling alright?" Fluttershy said smiling at her walking into the kitchen to start getting breakfast ready for the animals.

"Good morning Fluttershy, I'm alright just a little sore. Sorry... if I woke you up. I wasn't sure where you kept the cups." Starbloom said smiling at Fluttershy.

"No, you didn't wake me up Starbloom. This is when I normally get up to feed the animals." Fluttershy said smiling at her before tilting her head. "That's right, the doctor gave me some medicine for you." Fluttershy said getting a small packet down and took out the medicine. One was a pain pill, the other was a antibiotic. "Here you go, take these.

Starbloom smiled floating over the pills and took them with her water. "Thank you Fluttershy." Starbloom said watching Fluttershy go back to preparing the food for the animals. "Can I help you with anything?"

Fluttershy smiled at Starbloom thinking for a moment. "Alright, you can help Starbloom. Take these filled bowls out side and just set them down." Fluttershy said pointing a hoof at the bowls, one was full of nuts, another was full of berries and cut fruits, a third one was full of vegetables.

"Okay I will," Starbloom said and smiled floating the bowls over and carried them outside looking around, the sun was starting to come up. She set the bowls on the ground watching as different small animals run over and start to eat. Starbloom smiled before and headed inside, watching Fluttershy set out smaller bowls for the animals inside the cottage.

Toby started to make his way down stairs as well, yawning softly as he rubbed his eyes. "M... morning mama, m... morning Starbloom." Toby said smiling at both of them.

"Good morning Toby sweetie, did you sleep well?" Fluttershy said smiling at him. "Give me a minute and I'll have breakfast ready for you two."

"Good morning Toby." Starbloom said smiling at him going over and takes next to him. "Alright Fluttershy, thank you."

Fluttershy smiled at them as she went into the kitchen to start getting the breakfast for them ready, biscuits with milk gravy and orange juice.

Starbloom smiled over at Toby, "Do you think we can visit Rarity today?" She asked looking up at him.

Toby smiled back at her and nodded rubbing her head a little. "S.. Sure Starbloom, we can go visit auntie Rarity t.. today if your up to it."

Starbloom nodded at him and smiled wiggling her ears at the head rubbing. "Thank you Toby, I really would like to visit her today. I'm sure I'll be fine I am feeling sore but other then that I feel better then I have in a while."

"T.. that's good to hear Starbloom, I'm g.. glad your feeling better." Toby said before Fluttershy came out with two plates, with biscuits and gravy on them. She placed a plate in front of each of them. "T.. thank you mama."

Fluttershy smiles at both of them, "Your welcome, Toby sweetie and Starbloom. Enjoy your breakfast."

"Thank you Fluttershy, it smells very good." Starbloom said, before using her magic to start to eat.

Toby smiled as he started to eat as well, both of them enjoyed the breakfast. Fluttershy joining them after she finished feeding the last of the animals. Once breakfast was done, Toby went to get changed and Fluttershy changed the bandage on Starbloom's shoulder.

"It's looking better then yesterday Starbloom." Fluttershy said checking over the surgery area. She took out a small jar of cream and carefully spread a little over the cut area.

"What is that?" Starbloom asked looking at the jar of cream.

"It's a special herbal cream to help the cut heal with out scarring to bad." Fluttershy said as she started to re-bandage the area carefully so not to hurt her to much with the pressure needed.

"Oh, thank you Fluttershy." Starbloom said smiling as Toby came down the stairs having changed into a pair of blue pants and a red shirt with blue trim. She looked over at Toby and smiled.

"Mama Fluttershy... d..do you think it'll be okay if we... go v... visit auntie Rarity?" Toby asked her smiling watching as Fluttershy finished bandaging Starbloom's shoulder.

"Of course Toby, just have fun." Fluttershy said smiling at her moving to her hooves. "Just be back before dinner alright?"

"Yes mama, we will." Toby said smiling at Fluttershy. Starbloom moved to her hooves and smiled nodding at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy smiled at them watching as they leave the cottage. She went to the door watching as Toby got the wagon and helping Starbloom into it before starting to walk to Ponyville and Rarity's boutique.

Visiting Rarity

Chapter 12

Shortly before leaving the cottage, Starbloom decided to get the saddle bags. "Hang on Toby, I want to get something before we leave." She said slipping from the wagon she made her way up the stairs to the bedroom and got the saddle bags using her magic to carry them down stairs.

Toby helped her back into the wagon and she put the saddle bags in front of herself smiling. "Thank you for waiting Toby, I'm ready now." She said smiling up at Toby who smiled back.

"It's a.. alright Starbloom," He said before walking towards Ponyville, the walk from Fluttershy's cottage towards Ponyville didn't take to long. Starbloom sat quietly in the wagon while Toby quietly pulled it behind him. After reaching Ponyville he started on his way towards Carousel Boutique.

The walk to the boutique was pretty quiet and uneventful. Once they arrive, Starbloom slipped out of the wagon on her own and put the saddle bags on her back. Toby turned around and smiled at Starbloom seeing her get out of the wagon on her own. "You m.. must be feeling better, if y.. you can get out of the w... wagon on your own." Toby said smiling at her.

She smiled at Toby nodding "Yea I'm feeling better Tody, my shoulder doesn't hurt as much." She said as they went up to the door, Toby opening it up for them and they head in side."

"H.. hello auntie Rarity, are you h.. home?" He asked looking around Starbloom trailing in behind him smiling as she looked around herself.

"Oh, Toby darling, yes I'm here." She said coming out of the back looking over at him, then spots Starbloom. "Ah, you brought a friend. Hello darling, my name is Rarity, and you are?"

"Hello Rarity, my name is Starbloom." Starbloom said smiling up at her bowing lightly to her. "It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well Starbloom dear." Rarity said smiling and leading them over to the cushions, all of them finding a place to sit. Toby taking a seat next to Starbloom. "That's a very lovely headband you got there. Though it looks abit.... off."

"Thank you Rarity, it's a little big for me though. But it allows me to use magic." Starbloom said smiling up at Rarity.

Rarity smiles at her, using her magic to pull the headband off Starbloom looking it over. "I see, if you'd allow me to I can resize it for you."

Starbloom smiles up at her, "If.. it isn't to much trouble I would like to have it fixed.. but the design and style needs to stay the same if possible."

Rarity smiled at her and nods, using her magic to get a tape measure to size Starbloom's forehead before getting some fabrics and starts to work on a new headband for Starbloom. "Of course dear, I'll do my best." Rarity said smiling before looking over at Toby, "How about you Toby dear? Is everything going good for you and Fluttershy?"

"Y... yes auntie Rarity, me and Fluttershy are do.. doing good. We're letting S.. Starbloom stay with us... while she's in town." Toby said smiling at Rarity rubbing Starbloom's head softly.

Rarity nodded and smiled, Starbloom wiggling her ears at the rubbing. "I'm glad to hear you and Fluttershy are doing well. It's certainly nice of you and Fluttershy to let her stay at the cottage."

Starbloom smiled wiggling her ears a bit more. "Yea, Toby and Fluttershy have been really nice. Helping me out and letting stay with them."

Toby smiled as well softly rubbing Starbloom's head a bit. "It's b.. been nice having her staying w.. with us."

Rarity smiled at them nodding as she checks the work on the headband. She had already got the basic design done and was moving the gems from the old headband to the new one fixing them into place. "Well, I must say you two do seem to get along very well. Just like a real brother and sister."

Toby smiled at that, and Starbloom blushed faintly but smiled as well. "Thank you Rarity, that is very nice of you to say." Starbloom said

Toby nodded smiling at Rarity, "Y.. yes auntie Rarity, that was v.. very nice of you." He said smiling at her brightly, leaning over and hugged Starbloom careful of her shoulder.

Starbloom smiled and hugged Toby back softly nuzzling his cheek softly. Letting go of the hug once Toby does as well. Rarity smiled at the both of them while finishing up the headband putting it back on Starbloom's head softly. "There you go dear, all done. How does it fit?"

Starbloom smiled feeling the headband get placed back on her head reaching up to adjust it. "Thank you Rarity, it fits very well." Starbloom said smiling activating her magic feeling the gems surge with energy before the glow faded away.

"Starbloom dear, if I may ask, where in Equestria did you find those marvelous gems?" Rarity asked smiling at Starbloom.

Starbloom paused and glanced over at Toby then back at Rarity trying to come up with something. "I... um.." she started before Toby cut her off.

"I g.. gave them to her auntie Rariry, I.... hope that's o.. okay with you." He said looking up at Rarity. Starbloom tilted her head at Toby.

"Of course it's alright with me, they were yours to give away after all," Rarity said smiling at Toby. Starbloom relaxing a little. "I think it was very nice of you."

Toby smiled, "T.. thank you auntie Rarity." He said before there was a noise at the door. All three of them looking over seeing Sweetie Belle come in.

"Sweetie Belle darling, we have guest." Rarity said smiling waving her over. Starbloom watched as Sweetie trotted over, she did her best to hide the flood of emotions swelling up in her.

"H.. hi Sweetie Belle, this is my fr.. friend Starbloom." Toby said smiling as he introduced Starbloom.

Sweetie smiled at Toby then at Starbloom, "Hi Starbloom, it's nice to meet you." She said smiling at her.

Starbloom smiled back and relaxed as best she could. "Hello, Sweetie Belle, it's nice to meet you as well." She said reminding herself this isn't the Sweetie she grew up with.

Meeting Sweetie Belle, Starbloom and Toby's emotional memories.

Chapter 13

Sweetie Belle smiled at Toby and Starbloom, "What are you two up to?" Sweetie asked watching the two. She noticed the bandage on Starbloom's shoulder and arm. "Oh my, what happen to you? Looks serious"

Toby looked at Starbloom then at Sweetie Belle smiling, "W.. we're visiting Auntie Rarity, I was i.. introducing her to Starbloom," he said smiling. He looked over at Starbloom again.

Starbloom took a deep breath and smiled, trying not to look awkward. "I... hurt my shoulder kind of bad, the doctor had to fix it for me." She said nodding slowly.

Sweetie smiled at Toby before looking over at Starbloom tilting her head a bit. "I'm really sorry to hear about your shoulder Starbloom. I hope you feel better soon." She said reaching over to give Starbloom a hug.

"I.. I'll be alright, it's just a little sore." Starbloom said then almost panicked when Sweetie gave her the hug. She did her best to keep from pushing her away and return the hug.

Toby noticed the panicked look when Sweetie hugged Starbloom. Once Sweetie broke away from the hug he went over to them, "S.. Sweetie, if I could... I would like to talk to Starbloom alone... if that's alright," he asked Sweetie then looked at Starbloom.

Sweetie blinked looking at Starbloom then at Toby, "Sure, I'll go talk to my sister," she said smiling before going over to talk to Rarity.

Once Sweetie had went to talk to Rarity, Toby and Starbloom go over to a more private corner of the shop. "Starbloom, w.. what's the matter? You s... seem nervous or freaked out." Toby asked her.

Starbloom looked over at Sweetie and Rarity before looking back at Toby lowering her eyes. "It's.... just hard seeing her. In my world, me and Sweetie are very close.... married in fact." She said quietly so only Toby could hear, she looked at him trying to hold back some tears.

Toby looked at Starbloom, seeing her nearly in tears. He leans over and gives her a soft hug rubbing her back softly before whispering in her ear. "I... I'm sorry Starbloom... I.. I know it's hard. Would it.... be easier if we went home?" he asked her before leaning back.

Starbloom looked at him then over at Sweetie, she took a slow deep breath before looking back at Toby. "I.... yes... I think I wanna go home. If your okay with it." She said softly looking at the floor.

Toby reached over and gave her another hug nodding softly. "I'll let Rarity a... and Sweetie know that w... we'll be going now," he said before releasing the hug and going over to where Sweetie and Rarity was sitting.

"Is everything alright Toby sweetie?" Rarity asked looking over at Starbloom who was still sitting in the corner. "Is something the matter?"

"Starbloom is... she's feeling sick, so I... I'm going to take her home." Toby said looking at Rarity then over at Sweetie, "It was.. nice to see you both again."

"Well... alright Toby, I hope she's feeling better soon." Rarity said looking at him then back over at Starbloom. "Tell your mother I said hello."

Toby nodded at Rarity giving her a light smile. "I will auntie Rarity, w... was nice to see you again. Y.. you as well Sweetie Belle." He said smiling at Sweetie as well before going over to Starbloom.

Rarity and Sweetie both said good bye to them as they left the shop. Starbloom climbed up into the wagon and curled up in it. Toby picked up the handle of the wagon and started to pull it home.

A short way through town Starbloom looked up at Toby, "I... I'm sorry about that... I tried to keep myself together." She said resting her head on the edge of the wagon.

Toby looked back over his shoulder at Starbloom giving her a soft smile. "I.. it's alright Starbloom," He slowly stopped pulling the wagon, and carefully turned toward Starbloom. "P...please don't be sad S...Starbloom. I...I know what it is like t... to not keep myself together." He gave her a warm smile, and very carefully reached over to give her very gentle hug, so not to hurt her shoulder.

Starbloom hugged him back careful of her shoulder nuzzling his shoulder lightly before tilting her head. "Y.. you had trouble keeping yourself together to?" She asked letting go of the hug and sat back looking at him quietly. "What.. happen?"

Toby gave her a sad smile, and let out a heavy sigh. "W... well it was our school talent show, and I wanted to play the piano so I could say goodbye to my Mommy, because when she l...left me, I was unable to say goodbye." He carefully turned away to not let Starbloom see that he was on the verge of tears. He started shuddering a little with sobs. "W...when it was m...my turn to play, I...I couldn't." He lowered his head allowing his tears to flow.

Starbloom watched him quietly as he explained, she moved to get out of the wagon and hugged him softly from behind. "I.. I'm sorry you had to remember that." She said softly nuzzling his shoulder, "How.. did you manage to play the piano though?" She asked her curiosity getting the better of her.

He let out a soft sigh, turning to Starbloom with a little smile "T...thank you Starbloom." He thanked her for the nuzzle on the shoulder and comforting hug. He reached up to wipe at his tears with a hand, sniffling. "A...as I sat there, afraid that I couldn't play the piano, I...I heard my Mommy's voice. I...I saw her sitting beside me, a...and she told me that since the day I...I was born, she was the proudest mother in the world." He turned his head away a bit crying a little harder.

"A...after she told me she was p...proud of me, and s...she loved me, I...I was able to say goodbye. T...then I was able to play the piano." He kept his head turned a little bit so Starbloom didn't see him cry.

Starbloom listen to him quietly as he explained everything to her. She lowered her head a bit thinking it over in her mind before moving around in front of him and reared up to give him another hug resting her head on his shoulder rubbing his back with her hoof softly. "I... I'm glad you got to say goodbye." She said nuzzling his shoulder softly, "I... know how it feels to not have closure after a lose like that." She said softly feeling tears swell up again, her thoughts going back to her original world and to Spike, she herself never got to say goodbye to him.

Toby gently hugged her back, rubbing along her back softly. As they released the hug, Toby carefully helped Starbloom back into the wagon, and walked to the front to grab the handle. He looked over his shoulder to check, and make sure she was okay, giving her a warm smile, and started pulling the wagon, heading toward home.

Starbloom was feeling a little better, but she still felt sad about Spike and Toby's mother. She wasn't laying in the wagon anymore though, she was sitting upright in it watching him as he pulls it back towards the cottage. She kept quiet though her mind going back to her original world and her second home world to when Silver Spoon had been killed.

After getting back to the cottage, Toby helped Starbloom from the wagon and started towards the front door. "Toby... wait..." She said causing him to stop and look over at her. She started down the small path to the bridge moving to the water's edge sitting down. Toby followed after her and sat next to her.

"W.. what is it... Starbloom?" He asked looking at her softly. He reached over and put a hand on her unhurt shoulder.

Starbloom looked into the water quietly for a few moments. "I know... you probably wouldn't ask but I felt I should explain how I know what you felt...." She started closing her eyes to let the memories come back. "It was, a long time ago... back when I was still Twilight... I was working on an experiment in the lab..... when it happen. I got to eager for it to work and...." She stopped to gather herself together feeling fresh tears start to form in her eyes.

Toby looked deeply concerned for Starbloom, and very gently rubbed at her non-injured shoulder. "I...it's okay S...Starbloom...you don't have to continue if you don't want to. I...I don't want to you make you feel sad." He gave her a sad smile, and very carefully hugged her, making sure not to hurt her injured shoulder.

Starbloom nuzzled herself into his shoulder when he hugged her resting her head on it softly. She was shuddering softly as she started to cry softly. "I... killed Spike.... the experiment exploded and he was gone. I never got to tell him good bye or anything." She said softly wrapping her forelegs around him softly.

Toby frowned as he felt her shuddering against him, and he very carefully rubbed at her back soothingly. "Shh... S...Starbloom. I...it was an accident, a...and it wasn't your fault. J...just like my Mommy's death was an a...accident, I finally stopped blaming myself." He felt a little guilty about not telling her the real reason why his mother died, but making her feel better was his main concern.

Starbloom started to settle down a little as he spoke. She listened to him quietly as she softly cried into his shoulder. After a few more moments she released the hug and sat back on the bank of the small river sniffling softly wiping her eyes with her hoof. "T.. thank you... Toby... it's been so long but I still feel the loose. I know, he doesn't blame me for it." She said softly looking at the ground quietly then back at him smiling softly.

Toby gave her a warm smile, and thought of something. "S...Starbloom, I...if it is okay for me to ask, d...do you have something personal of Spike's when y...you return to your world?" He asked very softly.

Starbloom shook her head softly sighing softly. "No... I don't have anything of his anymore.... I.." She looked away for a moment before continuing. "I was arrested, after Spike died I panicked and attacked some royal guards then ran away.... I was eventually caught and taken to Canterlot... that's how I ended up in my new home world." She said softly before looking back at him.

Toby frowned at her "I...I'm s...sorry Starbloom. I...I shouldn't have asked that. I...I didn't mean to bring up bad memories for you." He looked at her concerned, rubbing at her back gently. "I...I know, I...I might have something of Uncle Spike's. W...we went gem hunting one day, a...and he gave me one of his fire rubies that he said I...I could keep for being a great little nephew." He smiled warmly at Starbloom.

Starbloom smiled at him softly. "It.. it's alright, you don't need to apologize. I do have a Spike in my new home world... he helped raise me when I turned into a filly... the first time. It was a little hard at first, but we grew close. I miss him as well, but when I get home I'll see him again." She said relaxing as he rubbed her back gently again.

He smiled softly at her, and continued to rub at her back gently "O...okay Starbloom. I...I am glad you will be able to see him again when you get back home." He smiled softly as he looked up at the sky, watching Celestia's sun slowly begin to set. He looked at Starbloom "W....well, it looks like i...it is getting night time. W...we should be getting home, b...before Momma gets worried." He gently asked her "A...are you ready S...Starbloom?"

Starbloom nodded at him looking up at the sky herself before moving to her hooves. "Yea, I'm ready. I wouldn't want Fluttershy to worry about us being out late." She said watching him quietly, once he stood up she walked with him towards the cottage letting him open the door for her before going inside.

Author's Note

A big thank you to APoeticHeart for helping me write this chapter.

Starbloom Learns the Truth

Chapter 14

Toby open the door for Starbloom when they got to the cottage. Starbloom was wiping her eyes dry and doing her best to calm herself and smile so Fluttershy wouldn't worry about her. It had been a pretty stressful evening though and she was finding it hard to push her emotions down.

Toby himself, had red puffy eyes from crying as well, so it was hard for him to hide the fact he had been crying.

Once they got into the cottage Fluttershy looked out of the door way to the kitchen and smiled. "Welcome home Toby, and Starbloom." Fluttershy said cheerfully before noticing the two. "Oh my, what's wrong you both look like you've been crying." She said coming out of the kitchen and going over to them.

Starbloom looks over at Toby, who looked back at Starbloom before they look over at Fluttershy. Starbloom wasn't to sure what to say at first, so Toby spoke up. "W... when visiting Auntie Rarity.... Sweetie Belle came in and.... it upset Starbloom." Toby said looking over at Starbloom.

Fluttershy tilted her head faintly. "Sweetie Belle upset Starbloom? What happen?" She asked a little confused about what could of happen to upset Starbloom. She looked over at Starbloom for the answer as to what happen to upset her.

"It's.... well...." Starbloom tried to explain but was finding it hard to come up with the right words. She sighed softly lowering her head. "In my world... me and Sweetie Belle are very close...." Starbloom managed to get out fresh tears springing into her eyes but she wiped them away.

Toby reached over and rubbed her back softly to try and help calm her down. Starbloom looked over at him and smiled as the rubbing helped calm her down.

Fluttershy nodded at them faintly before speaking up again. "That explain why Starbloom is upset, but what about you Toby, how come you had been crying as well?" She asked, she knew Toby could get emotional but this seemed different.

"W... well Momma, S... Starbloom wanted to t... tell me something, so w... we sat down at the river, a.... and talked." He looks over at Starbloom with a soft smile, and then back up at his mom. "I... I'm going to go get r... ready for bed Momma, a... and Starbloom." He gave them both a smile as he turned to walk upstairs, but he still kind of felt guilty about keeping his Mommy's true reason of dying a secret from Starbloom.

"Well.... alright Toby, dinner will be ready shortly. I'll call up to you when it's done." She said watching Toby as he went upstairs. She looked over at Starbloom who was watching Toby as well. "I don't want to pry but can you tell me what you two talked about by the lake?" Fluttershy asked waving a hoof for Starbloom to follow her into the kitchen.

Starbloom followed her to the kitchen, nodding softly. "Toby, explained to me what happen to his mother. About how she died and how his father treated him.... I told him about Spike in my original world." She closed her eyes tight to keep the tears at bay, "How... I killed him in a lab explosion....." She paused to take a deep breath and compose herself.

Fluttershy looked over at Starbloom as she went back to preparing dinner. "Oh my... I'm sorry to hear that Starbloom, it was an accident though... wasn't it?" Fluttershy asked, she was sure it was an accident but she wanted to be sure.

"Yes... it was an accident, I got reckless...." She said softly sighing wiping at her eyes abit. "Toby comforted me, told me it wasn't my fault, just like his mother's death wasn't his... that it was just an accident, like his mother's death."

Fluttershy frowned and looked away for a moment before looking back at Starbloom, "His mother's death.... wasn't an accident." She said so softly that Starbloom almost missed it. "His father killed her, out of jealousy. Then blamed Toby telling him it was his fault." She said lowering her eyes to the floor.

Starbloom's eyes went wide at the revelation then narrowed at the though of Toby's father killing his mother then blaming Toby for it. "What kind of monster does that? Murdering your own wife, then blaming your son." She gritted her teeth and the gems on her headband sparked with magic fueled anger.

"Shh... Starbloom please, calm down." Fluttershy said going over and rubbing her back to calm her. "Getting angry about it wont change anything. Just relax it's been dealt with and that horrible man is where he belongs."

Starbloom closed her eyes and took slow deep breaths to calm herself down, the energy crackling around her settled and disappeared as she relaxed under Fluttershy's back rub. "I'm sorry I got upset Fluttershy... it's just hard to think about, even all my years as a police pony and then as Mare Do Well.... I never seen or heard about anything that horrible happening." Starbloom said opening her eyes looking at the floor.

"I know Starbloom, it's hard to believe things like that could happen." Fluttershy said before going back to the stove to finish dinner. "Help me get the table ready, if you don't mind."

Starbloom nodded and tried to let the thought of murder like that go. She used her magic to pull down some bowls, saucers and glasses setting them on the table before getting silverware out and placing them with the bowls and saucers on the table.

While Starbloom got the table ready, Fluttershy brought over a pot of vegetable stew and placed it on the table. Once she had that in place she got some fresh bread out of the oven and placed it on the table as well. "If you would like, you can get Toby while I get dinner served." Fluttershy said smiling over at Starbloom.

"Alright Fluttershy, I will." She said going to the stairs and heading up them. "Toby, dinner is ready." Starbloom called out for him.

"Okay Starbloom," Toby said smiling at her getting up, he was dressed for bed and had been sitting on the floor working on a picture. He got up and both of them headed down stairs to the kitchen for dinner. The paper left on the floor had an image of Toby, Fluttershy and Starbloom standing together in front of Fluttershy's cottage smiling happily.

Toby's Picture

Chapter 15

After dinner Toby and Starbloom helped Fluttershy clean up the kitchen before Fluttershy sent Toby to bed first. She took Starbloom to the downstairs bathroom and changed the bandage on her shoulder. Checking over the injury to make sure it was healing properly and adding some more of the salve to help keep it from scarring to bad.

"That's looking a lot better Starbloom, it'll be time to remove the stitches soon and we won't have to keep it bandaged." Fluttershy said smiling at Starbloom as she gently worked on her shoulder. "No sign of infection either you're doing very well."

Starbloom smiled at Fluttershy as she listened while she worked on the shoulder. The pain and soreness had gone down a lot as well as her limp. She had been really nervous about corrective surgery but now she was glad she had it. "Thank you Fluttershy, it's feeling a lot better now." Starbloom said smiling.

"I'm glad to hear that Starbloom dear, now time for your medicine then bed alright?" Fluttershy said walking with Starbloom back to the kitchen, she gets the packets with the anti-infection medicine and pain pill. She took out the proper dose of each and gave them to Starbloom before putting the packets away.

"Alright Fluttershy, thank you again." She said smiling at her using her magic to take the pills and put them in her mouth before taking a drink of water. "Good night Fluttershy," She said before making her way up stairs to the bedroom she shared with Toby.

She saw him working on his drawing again and goes over. "What are you working on Toby?" She asked tilting her head smiling. Toby looked up and blushed softly before holding up the picture so she could see.

"It... it's a picture of all of us." He said smiling at her. "It's... not silly is it?" He asked her looking at the picture then back at Starbloom.

"Oh Toby.... of course it's not silly. It's a very sweet drawing I like it." She smiles at him then looks at the picture again. "I'm sure Fluttershy will love it as well."

Toby blushed a little more smiling at her. "Yo.. you think so Starbloom?" he said smiling at her looking at the picture then back at Starbloom.

"No, I don't think so I know she will love it." Starbloom said smiling at him ruffling his hair a bit. She turned her head hearing hoof steps coming up the stairs.

Fluttershy made her way up the stairs and smiled at Toby and Starbloom. "Oh, what are my two little ones up to?" She said walking over to them.

Starbloom looked at Toby who blushed, she gave him a soft nudge with her hoof and nodding at the picture. Toby smiled and held up the picture for Fluttershy. "I... I drew this mama. Do... you like it?" he asked looking up at her.

"Oh my... Toby I love it, thank you very much." Fluttershy said as she took the drawing and found a place on the wall to hang it up. "But it's bed time now, so off to bed with you two."

Starbloom and Toby smiled and nodded. "Okay Fluttershy," Starbloom said using her magic to pull back the covers and climbs in snuggling into the bed.

"Alright mama," Toby said as he got in on his side of the bed.

Fluttershy smiled and went over to the bed tugging the covers and tucking them in, "Would you two like a lullaby?" Fluttershy asked turning the main lights in the room off, leaving a small lamp on so she could see her way to the door.

Toby looked over at Starbloom who was starting to drift off on her own, the pain medicine making her drowsy. "Okay mama, a soothing one would be nice." Toby said smiling at her.

Fluttershy nodded at Toby smiling as she goes over and sits on his side of the bed closing her eyes and starts to sing Hush Now, Quiet Now, softly so not to disturb Starbloom. Toby snuggled into the covers more and slowly started to drift off to sleep himself.

Seeing the two had fallen asleep she smiled and got to her hooves heading down stairs after turning the small lantern off.

Sunrise

Chapter 16

Starbloom woke up quietly the next morning, it was early and Toby was still asleep. She got out of the bed carefully so not to wake up him. She stretched herself out before making her way down stairs and into the kitchen using her magic to get a glass and filled it with some water and took a drink.

Looking around she saw that Fluttershy was still asleep as well. She looked at the clock seeing it was only five thirty in the morning. "Wow earlier then I thought," she said softly to herself so not to wake anyone up. She made her way to the door and opened it quietly going out. She carefully shut the door, but it didn't close all the way, and took a seat looking out over the country side sipping her water.

She let her mind wander as she watched the country side start to brighten as the sun came up slowly. She sipped her water quietly before setting the cup down next to her and took a deep breath of the early morning air.

Toby woke up and sat up looking around quietly not seeing Starbloom in bed he wondered if she was down stairs with his mama. He got out of bed and went down stairs but saw Fluttershy was still asleep. He looked in the kitchen and didn't see her he started to get a little worried. He then noticed the door was open just alittle he went over and pushed it open.

He saw Starbloom sitting near by watching the landscape and went outside walking over to where she was sitting. "Starbloom.... is s.. something wrong?" He asked her softly sitting down next to her.

"Huh..." She blinked for a moment then shook her head smiling, "Oh, no I'm alright just relaxing and watching the sun come up. Don't get to do that alot in Manehatten." She said rubbing his back lightly.

"Oh... I'm glad," he said smiling over at her. "I.. thought you m... might of been upset about something."

"Nah... I'm feeling the very relaxed and comfortable." She said smiling as they watched the landscape quietly.

"What are my little ones doing outside?" Fluttershy asked as she came over to them, looking over at them.

"W.. we're watching the sunrise mama." Toby said looking up at her, "If... that's alright."

Fluttershy smiled at the two and sat down next to Toby. "That's fine, I'll join you if you don't mind." Fluttershy said putting a hoof on Toby's shoulder softly.

"That's alright with me," Starbloom said smiling at Fluttershy and Toby nodded in agreement smiling at Fluttershy as well.

The three sat quietly as they watched the sun slowly came up over the horizon. Once it had finely crested over the landscape and hung low in the sky Fluttershy moved to her hooves. "It's time to feed the little animals if you two want to help."

Toby nodded getting to his feet and Starbloom got to her hooves as well. "That sounds good Fluttershy." Starbloom said and the three headed inside to the kitchen, Starbloom brought the cup she had taken outside back in with her.

Fluttershy smiled at them as she prepared the different dishes, Toby and Starbloom taking them and putting them out where they belonged, soon all the animals was enjoying their breakfast.

"Now, what would you two like for breakfast my little ones?" She asked smiling at them. Starbloom looked over at Toby and Toby smiled at her.

"Oatmeal please.. if that is alright with you Starbloom." Toby said and Starbloom nodded in agreement smiling at him.

"Alright, I'll get it ready," Fluttershy said and started to prepare the breakfast for the two. Toby went upstairs to get changed and Starbloom sat quietly in the kitchen watching.

Once the oatmeal was ready she fixed them a bowl and got Starbloom's morning dose of medicine ready for her. Starbloom took the medicine and they took the bowls out to the living room as Toby came down stairs dressed in his blue and red outfit.

The three sat in the living room enjoying the breakfast. "Who do you want to meet today?" Toby asked Starbloom smiling at her between bites.

"Hmmm, I'm not sure." Starbloom said, she had meet Applejack, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy. As she thought about who to meet today Fluttershy spoke up.

"Well, how about Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy suggested, "I have a order of eggs that needs to be delivered to Sugar Cube Corner."

Starbloom nodded at Fluttershy and smiled, "Well that sounds perfect then, we can deliver the eggs and meet up with Pinkie Pie." She was little nervous though, she was sure Pinkie would want to throw a party to welcome her to the town.

Toby smiled and nodded, "That s... sounds like a good idea mama."

Fluttershy smiled back and they finished up breakfast. Toby and Starbloom helped Fluttershy clean up the dishes, before they went around and gathered up the empty animal feed bowls from around the house and yard wanting to get the
chores around the house finished before they left.

Once the chores around the house was finished Toby got the wagon and Starbloom helped with getting the eggs placed into it. It was pretty full so she wouldn't be able to ride inside the wagon going into town.

"Starbloom, are y... you going to be okay walking into t... town?" Toby asked her seeing how full the wagon was.

"Yea, I think I should be fine." Starbloom said smiling at him. "My shoulder is a lot better and doesn't hurt."

Toby smiled and nodded, "A... alright Starbloom," he said then looked over at Fluttershy, "We'll be home soon mama."

"Okay, be safe my little ones." Fluttershy said smiling at them as they started to walk on the path leading away from the cottage and into Ponyville.

Pinkie Pie is Random

Chapter 17

Toby and Starbloom walked along the dirt path leading towards Ponyville, Toby pulling the wagon behind him holding a couple of baskets full of eggs for Sugar Cube Corner. After a few minutes of walking Toby looked over at Starbloom, “H... how are you feeling Starbloom, is y… your shoulder hurting?” he asked softly.

Starbloom looked back at Toby, “Yea, it’s alright Toby it doesn’t hurt or anything.” Starbloom smiled rolling her shoulder lightly showing it wasn’t hurting. “The doctor did a good job with it.”

“I’m g… glad if you get tired or start to h… hurt just tell me and we c… can stop so you can rest.” Toby assured as they kept walking towards Ponyville.

Starbloom smiled at him and nodded, “I will Toby, thank you.” She agreed she was happy to be active again though. It’s not that she didn’t like him pulling her in the wagon but it felt good to walk on her own hooves again.

It wasn’t too much longer before they reached Ponyville but it was near mid-day so the streets were crowded making their progress slower towards Sugar Cube Corner. Starbloom thought she caught a glimpse of the pony from the museum out of the corner of her eye but when she looked, she didn’t see her. I must have just imaged it. She thought to herself quietly.

Before too long they reached Sugar Cube Corner, instead of going to the front they went to the side entrance of the building and Toby knocked on the door to the kitchen. Mr. Cake opened the door and looked down smiling, “Hello Toby, who is your friend?” He asked smiling at the two.

“H… hello Mr. Cake, this is Starbloom. We brought t… the eggs you asked for.” He replied smiling back moving to show him the wagonload of eggs. “A… also if it’s not too much trouble can we visit with auntie Pinkie Pie?”

“Of course you can, I’m sure Pinkie would love a visit from you and your new friend.” Mr. Cake said moving to let them come in.

Toby smiled, he grabbed a basket of eggs to carry it inside. Starbloom used her magic to grab the other two baskets of eggs and carried them in as well; setting them down carefully in the spot Mr. Cake showed them.

“Thank you Toby, thank you Starbloom, here you go for your hard work.” Mr. Cake said giving them each a small bag of cookies. “And this is for your mother Toby, for the eggs.” He added giving Toby a small bag of bits.

“Thank you Mr. Cake,” Starbloom smiled taking the bag in her magic looking over at Toby.

“T… thank you Mr. Cake,” Toby smiled taking both bags. He put the bag of bits in his pocket for safekeeping and held the bag of cookies in his hand. He looked back at Starbloom. “Let’s go f… find Auntie Pinkie”

Starbloom smiled at Toby and nodded following him as they left the kitchen. It wasn’t hard to find Pinkie; she was at the sales counter taking care of the customers. “H… hello Auntie Pinkie Pie.” Toby greeted as he walked up to her.

“Hello my little wittle nephew Toby.” Pinkie smiled with a big grin looking over at him bouncing away from the counter. Mrs. Cake went over to take over, Pinkie paused mid bounce looking at Starbloom tilting her head before looking at Toby. “Did Twilight get turned into a filly?”

Starbloom resisted the urge to face hoof looking up at Pinkie Pie, “No, my name is Starbloom. It’s nice to meet you Pinkie Pie.” Starbloom said smiling at her then squeaked when Pinkie picked her up, squirming around in her grasp. “H… hey, Pinkie put me down!” Starbloom protested wiggling a bit more.

Toby looked rather confused at Pinkie’s actions when he picked up Starbloom, “A… auntie Pinkie? I d… don’t think she like that.” Toby said looking up at her, “I… think you should put her down.”

Pinkie finally put Starbloom down; Starbloom was flustered her mane and tail frizzed out. “She looks an awful lot like Twilight,” Pinkie observed rubbing her hoof with her chin leaning close eying Starbloom closer. “Maybe she’s her sister?”

This time Starbloom did face hoof and sighed. “Maybe we should talk someplace privately?” Starbloom suggested.

“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie exclaimed and bounced across the sales floor of the store with Starbloom and Toby following her heading up stairs to Pinkie Pie’s room. Once they got to the room, Starbloom made sure they were alone and took a deep breath closing the door looking over at Pinkie Pie.

“I am not Twilight’s sister; I’m her daughter from another dimension, that’s why I look so much like her. But please Pinkie don’t tell anyone alright?” Starbloom begged looking up at her.

Pinkie sat quietly for a few moments before smiling, “I won’t tell anyone Starbloom, it’s the least I could do for the daughter of my best friend.” Pinkie agreed reaching over and ruffling Starbloom’s mane with a hoof.

Toby and Starbloom smiled at Pinkie, “T… Thank you, auntie Pinkie.” Toby said.

“Thank you Pinkie, I don’t like keeping it a secret but I think it’s best not too many people know I’m not from this world.” Starbloom sighed softly moving to her hooves. “Trouble is another pony doesn’t belong here as well and she’s a bad pony.”

“Really, a bad pony like a spy or something?” Pinkie asked looking at Starbloom.

“More like a thief, she takes things that don’t belong to her.” Starbloom corrected looking back up at Pinkie Pie.

“What does this bad pony look like?” Pinkie Pie asked tilting her head. “I can help keep an eye out for her and let others know.”

Starbloom considered for a few minutes, “She’s a tan earth pony with an orange mane and tail with red highlights; she has a cutie mark of a gem and her eyes are blue.” Starbloom explained thinking for a moment, “I don’t know what her name is though, she’s pretty cunning so be careful if you see her. She’ll look like she’s about my age as well”

“I’ll keep an eye out for her Starbloom, you staying with Fluttershy and Toby?” Pinkie Pie asked smiling at her.

“Yea I am, thank you again Pinkie.” Starbloom smiled.

Toby smiled as well. “We s… should be getting home, it was g… good seeing you auntie Pinkie.”

“Was good seeing you to Toby, say hello to Fluttershy for me,” Pinkie Pie smiled opening the door and the three headed back downstairs.

“I will a… auntie Pinkie,” Toby agreed smiling at her, once they got downstairs Starbloom and Toby went through the kitchen waving to Mr. Cake who was baking more treats before going outside through the kitchen door to get the wagon. “Do y… you want to walk?” Toby asked looking at the wagon then at Starbloom.

Starbloom considered a moment doing her best to read Toby’s expressions before smiling at him. “The doctor did say not to overdo it,” Starbloom admitted climbing into the wagon and settling into place smiling up at him again setting her bag of cookies next to her.

Toby smiled back at her nodding as he picked up the handle of the wagon, after placing his bag of cookies with hers, and started to walk back to Fluttershy’s cottage pulling her in the wagon behind him.