Death & Rebirth

[Ponyville, The Next Day]

Morning's light shined into the Library Home of Twilight Sparkle..

as the warm beams filled the main room, Twilight slowly opened her violet eyes, she yawned, rubbing her eyes as her drowsiness began to fade.

Twilight looked, and saw that all five of her friends were sound asleep, and laying in a circle around her on the floor.

Twilight then looked down..and, saw who else was sleeping.

the lime green foal made soft breathing sounds as he slept, Twilight smiled warmly at her son whom was only born last night.

she leaned her head down, and nuzzled his small ginger mane, the baby colt made a soft squealing noise as he stretched out his tiny, stubby legs.

"alex.." whispered Twilight, softly "wake up, baby..it's Morning."

Alex Jr's slowly opened his sky blue eyes, he the yawned, making a high pitched noise as he did, Twilight then brushed at his mane with her muzzle.

"time to get up..SON, begin the new day, Begin your new life."

Twilight's eyes were moist, she still couldn't believe that she was a mother, that she brought new life into this world.

she was also emotional over how her only son looked so much like his father, a Stallion that he would unfortunately NEVER know.

As Alex Jr. stirred around..the others began to awaken.

"ohh..what a night." groaned Rarity, groggily

Applejack yawned loudly. "tarnation.."

the others began to get up off the floor, yawning as they did.

Pinkie Pie sat up..then, noticed the still sleeping Rainbow Dash, clinging to her poofy tail, and sucking on her hoof.

"Hey!, That's my Tail."

Rainbow Dash woke up..then, realized the position she was in, she quickly got up, backing away from Pinkie.

Pinkie grinned at Rainbow. "ten bits for a week if you NEVER speak of this to anypony." grumbled Rainbow Dash

"DEAL."

Twilight smiled as she slowly got up out of the floor, as she walked off to start the day, she heard tiny clopping sounds.

she looked, and saw that Alex Jr. was following each step she took (and, stopped when she did, staring at his mother with wide eyes.)

"Aww..the dear wants his Momma." cooed Fluttershy

Twilight smiled as she lower her head to his level, she gently nuzzled his face (earing a giggled from the young foal.)

Alex Jr. then reached out, and touched Twilight's nose with his tiny hooves.

Twilight looked into his eyes, the colt babbled something, but she didn't need to understand him.

"You better get used to having him around.." began Fluttershy "after birth, babies are quite dependent on their parents, It'll be a long time before he can take care of himself."

"I don't mind.." said Twilight, pulling her head away "I like having him near me..It's almost as if I have Alex back."

Applejack nodded. "yeah..we understand what ya' mean."

Applejack then smiled as she lowered down to Alex Jr's level. "heeey, youngin..how are YA' doing?!"

Alex Jr. stared at the strange mare in the hat, he looked hesitant, but Twilight nudged him foward with her muzzle.

the baby alicorn finally approached Applejack.

"hi.." began Applejack, speaking in a soft voice

"ah'm yer' "Auntie Applejack." and, you and me'll have lots of fun, together."

Alex Jr. smiled, beginning to trust Applejack. "(unintelligible babble)"

Applejack snickered. "I'ah hope yer' sayin' how you LOVE yer' new auntie."

Applejack's eyes then got moist. "land sakes..you really DO look like yer' daddy."

Alex Jr. looked confused. "dada??"

"OOH!!, He said his First Word!!!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie, happily

"Pinkie.. "Dada" isn't a real word." said Rainbow Dash

Pinkie just eyed Rainbow, crossing her front legs "Oh, right..and, I suppose "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" isn't a real word, either."

there was a brief pause. "No..It ISN'T." said Rainbow Dash, again

Rarity finally walked up to Alex Jr. "Let ME, hold him..PLEASE??"

"Sure, Rarity." said Twilight "but, you have to take it easy..He doesn't know you, yet."

"oh, but I ALREADY know him, darling."

Rarity reached out her legs, and carefully picked up the foal.

"Come to Auntie Rarity.."

the pearl white unicorn cradled young Alex Jr in her "arms", she rocked him gently, a smile on her face.

"oh..you ARE fabulous." said Rarity, her voice soft "Fabulous just like your dear father..he would be So Proud."

Suddenly, Pinkie swiped Alex Jr. from Rarity. "PINKIE!!"

"Oh, Enough of this "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" stuff, That's for Bedtime..It's Morning, TIME TO PLAY!!"

Pinkie place Alex Jr. on the ground, then lower to him, her face looking straight at him.

"Come on..Wanna play??, Wanna HAVE SOME FUN!!?" said Pinkie, waving her rear in the air

the colt just stared at Pinkie. "I know a game!!, I play it ALL the time with the Cake Twins."

Pinkie then covered her face with her hooves. "wheeeere's the Bay-beee..(uncovered face suddenly) THERE HE IS!!"

Alex Jr. jolted..then, began to laugh.

Rainbow Dash groaned..but, smiled none-the-less, the Pegasus then walked up to Twilight.

"So, Twilight..What now?!"

Twilight looked at her friend. "What do you mean??"

"Well, your kid is here..Now what??: Do you have any sort of plans, or..Something??"

Twilight thought for a bit. "hmm..You know, I don't think I have, I've been so wrapped up in my grief, that I didn't even think about my baby's future."

"Well, I think you'll HAVE to now, He's HERE, and he can't spend his whole life in this library."

Twilight took a moment to think.

"okay..OKAY, your right: FIRST, he needs a good education, I'll get him into the BEST SCHOOL in Ponyville!!"

"Ponyville has only ONE school, and That isn't the most important thing right now."

Twilight looked at her. "Then..What IS!?"

"DUH!, Diapers, Food, Toys, all that sorta 'Baby Junk.', they'll be plenty of time for school when he's older."

Twilight frowned, looking nervous. "I..I had no idea there'd be so much responsibility, I mean..YES, I did 'KNOW' of it, but..I never imagined it'd be like this."

Rainbow dash grinned. "All part of being Guardian of somebody else..I learned THAT the day I took in Scoots."

Fluttershy approached Twilight. "Do not worry, Twilight..Caring for a baby may be hard..but, not as hard when you have somepony to help you."

Fluttershy then smiled warmly. "and, Besides..despite the hardships, the rewards, though Small, make it all worth while in the end."

Twilight smiled weakly..but, still frowned, she then noticed something touch her leg.

the Alicorn looked down, and saw her foal rubbing his head against her leg.

"Wow..he sure is Affectionate." commented Rainbow Dash

"Course he is." began Applejack "Lil' Alex Jr. may be a youngin', but he's smart enough to know who his Momma is, so he'll be lookin' up to Twilight..because She's all he has in his lil' mind."

"But, he has US, too!!" said Pinkie Pie, walking up

"He don't know us that well, Pinkie." said Applejack "It'll take some time for him to accept ALL of us as "family."

Rarity smiled. "We will..We were like family to his Father, weren't we?!"

Applejack nodded, her eyes moist. "yeah..we sure were."

Applejack then exhaled.

"Twi, I almost hate to bring this up, but we all have to head on back home to our families..it IS Hearth's Warming Day, afterall."

"Awww!!" whined Pinkie Pie

Twilight nodded. "of course..go on ahead, I've kept you all away long enough."

Applejack smiled. "We promise to stop by and visit often, We'll even Foalsit for you."

Twilight smiled. "Thanks, AJ, but..I'm not sure I'll need a Foalsitter for awhile."

Twilight then stroked her son's mane with her hoof.

"i'm..I'm not sure I want to be away from my son, he eases my pain..makes Alex's death hurt less."

"I'ah know, sugarcube, but all Ah'm sayin' is that..We're all HERE if you need us."

Twilight nodded. "of course..Thank you."

Applejack smiled, she then leaned down to Alex Jr, and gave him a quick kiss on his head. "you be a good 'lil colt for yer momma."

Alex Jr. babbled something in response.

Applejack smiled, ruffling his head a bit with her hoof, she then rose up, and trotted off.

Fluttershy then nuzzled his nose with her own, then also left.

Rainbow Dash approached him..looking down at him, Alex Jr just giggled as he raised his hooves up.

Rainbow's lips quivered as her eyes became moist. "aw, man..why do you have to be so darn cute!?"

Rainbow Dash lowered, and hugged the baby foal. "i'll always be looking out for you, kid..ALWAYS." whispered Rainbow Dash, her voice shaky

"Bah-Blaa." replied Alex Jr.

Rainbow Dash finally parted, wiping a tear from her eye, as she too left, Rarity approached Alex Jr. next.

she gently touched his chin with the tip of her hoof. "Auntie Rarity will make you some LOVELY clothes JUST-FOR-YOU.. You'll be the most fashionable little foal in all of Equestria."

Alex Jr. had NO IDEA what Rarity was talking about..he was only amused as her big, wavy mane.

Rarity then looked at Twilight. "twilight, dear.." whispered the Unicorn

"yes??"

"when..Spikey-Wikey wakes up, do be sure to tell him that I am dreadfully sorry for leaving so soon."

"of course."

Raity exhaled, then finally left.

Pinkie was last to say goodbye to Alex Jr, she scooped him up, and hugged him tight.

"OHH, I'm gonna MISS YOOOOOOOOU!!!" said Pinkie, her voice sounding whiny "You'll HAVE to come with me the next time I foalsit for Mr and Mrs Cake!, you'll have so much fun with the Twins, It'll be a PLAY DATE!!"

Alex Jr. began to chew on Pinkie's whippy hair, Twilight finally took him in her arms, cradling him.

"go on, Pinkie..I'm sure you are needed at Sugarcube Corner."

Pinkie smiled wide, grinning, she then hopped off, at last leaving Twilight alone.

Twilight looked at her son..and, smiled. "just You and Me now, sweetie.."

Alex Jr. made a happy noise, giggling and babbling something.

Twilight finally put him down, and resumed her preperations for the new day.

As usual, Alex Jr, followed each step she took.

"okay, First..Breakfast, no, wait: I need to clean up first, THEN have breakfast."

as Twilight made her lastest To-Do List, Alex Jr. just looked up at his mother, admiring each move she made.

Just then, a loud yawn was heard, Twilight looked, and saw Spike waking up.

"(loud yawn)..m-morning already??"

"Yes, Spike..it is, and, Merry Hearth's Warming Day (you can open your presents, now.)

"OH, *BOOOOY!!!"*

the young dragon jetted off for the decorated tree, and immediately began tearing into one of the wrapped-up gifts.

Alex Jr. tilted his head, TRYING to understand this strange purple creature.

Just then, the little alicorn was levitated by violet energy, he looked, and saw his dear Mother bring him to her.

Twilight then levitated a fresh diaper, and using her magic, slipped it onto Alex Jr's bottom.

"There.." said Twilight, gently placing her foal down "that should prevent any unfortunate accidents."

Alex Jr babbled something in response, Twilight smiled warmly. "I love you too, sweetheart."

Twilight was about to go do something else..when a KNOCK was heard on the door.

KNOCK!!  KNOCK!!  KNOCK!!

Twilight looked towards the door. "Now, who could that be?!"

KNOCK!!  KNOCK!!  KNOCK!!

Twilight trotted quickly towards the door.

"HANG ON..I'm Coming."

KNOCK!!  KNO-BONK!!, BONK!!!

Twilight jolted as a Pony's head hit her own. "OW!!"

Twilight looked..and, saw a familiar looking Pony.

a grey furred mare with a messy blonde mane, and, distinctive gold 'cross-eyes'.

"DERPY!!?"

Derpy smiled her usual goofy smiles. "Well, ACTUALLY: My name is Ditzy Doo, but EVERY-Pony can calls me DERPY!!"

Derpy then reached into her saddle bag. "Yuv Goch Mall.." said Derpy, a letter in her mouth

"Why thank you." said Twilight, taking the letter via levitation

Derpy then began shivering alot.

"Oh, my gosh..Your FREEZING."

"a-a-aaaaaa L-L-Littllllle..."

"Well, Please come in..Stay near the fire place (but, DON'T touch anything.)"

"OKAY."

Derpy trotted into the house happily, humming a tune.

"How long have you been out?!" asked Twilight, closing the door

"Not long." said Derpy, dropping her rear down "Your letter was a Special Delivery, So,your the only Pony I'm delivering mail to, today."

Twilight frowned. "I'm so sorry for all the trouble."

Derpy smiled. "Oh, Don't worry about it..You know ME, I'm just happy to Hel-"

Just then, Derpy eyed Alex Jr (who was looking straight at her.)

"(high pitched squeal)"

"AHHHHHH!!!!" screamed Derpy

in her shock, Derpy flew straight up, bashed her head into the ceiling, then dropped straight down like a stone.

little Alex Jr was amused by this.

"DERPY!!, Wha-!?"

Derpy fearfully backed away on her back, as the lime green foal approached her with a wide smile on his face.

"G-G-G-G Guuuuuhhh..."

"Agga-Boo."

"GHOOOOOOOOOST!!!!!" shrieked Derpy, hiding behind a chair "The GHOST of Alex Cosmos has come back from the Dead to HAUNT ME!!!"

"DERPY.." began Twilight, sternly "That isn't a ghost: It's my SON."

Derpy looked at Twilight, puzzled. "Huh??"

"I was Pregnant, remember!?..with ALEX'S Foal, THAT is Alex Jr, He was born last night."

Derpy looked at the tiny colt again, NOW noticing he was an Alicorn, AND has blue highlights in his mane.

"Alex??.."

Suddenly, Derpy zipped over..and, scooped up the foal. "ALEX!!" exclaimed Derpy, happily

Twilight sighed, smiling sheepishly.

"Oh, what a CUTE little Muffin you are, you remind me of my Dinky when she was born!!"

"Goo??" said Alex Jr, clearly confused

Twilight paused for a moment, frowning, Finally she approached the blonde pegasus.

"Derpy..I-I'm sort of glad you came: I have a question."

Derpy looked at Twilight. "You..Wanna ask ME something!? (OHMYGOSH, This has 'NEVER' happened before!!)"

"yeah, well..It's something I think only YOU could tell me."

Derpy laid Alex Jr. back down (who ran over to his mother)

"Derpy..your a Single Mother of ONE, right??"

"Uh-Huh!!, Sure Am..Why?!"

"well..(sigh) so am I, I didn't want to be, I..always hoped that (tearing up) HE..would still be here.

  I mean, D-Don't get me wrong: I 'LOVE' my son more than anything, A-And, he make the pain of Alex's death hurt less..But, I feel so ALONE.

  I know my friends all promised to help me, but They can't be with me 24/7..I have Nopony to TRUELY help me raise Alex."

Twilight glanced over at Spike (who was playing with his presents)

"well..I guess I have Spike, but he's more like 'another child', than anything.

  The point is: I'm Afraid, What if I mess up!?, what if I don't raise him right??

  What if I do something wrong..and, he HATES me (crying softly) I..I'm not sure what I'm doing."

Derpy stared at Twilight (her expression 'unreadable') the pegasi mare then smiled her usual smiles, and spoke.

"Well, That's silly.." began Derpy "How can your little muffin Hate You, when You and Him both love each other so much!!?"

Twilight stared at Derpy (who continued to speak.)

"I understand what you mean, Twilight. (seriously) just because my eyes look like this, it doesn't mean I'm dumb.

  and, while I'm not SMART like you are..I do know one thing: It's that Babies LOVE their Mamas and Papas..and, they can CHANGE your Life."

Derpy then frowned, looking down.

"i..I love my Dinky, b-but, I don't like to talk about how she was born.

  when she asks me, i..I'm ashamed to say that I've lied to her, I say that her father was a soldier who loved me, and..D-Died before she was born."

"It didn't happen like that??!" said Twilight, surprised

Derpy shook her head. "no..h-he raped me."

Twilight gasped, stunned, Derpy then continued her sad story.

"It h-happened at school, when I was younger, everypony picked on me because of how my eyes look..(and, how I mess things up.)

  He was one of the Popular Ponies, REAL COOL, he..he acted like he was interested in me, said I was Pretty and Everything.

  C-Carrot Top TRIED to warn me what he was like, that he was using me. but..But, I 'WANTED' so bad to believe that somepony loved me for ME."

Twilight gulped hard. "wa..what happened??"

Derpy sighed sharply.

"he invited me to a party..I leapt at it without hesitation, At first, it was fun. I felt Popular, like I finally had friends.

  (sigh) b-but, after awhile..I felt lightheaded, DIZZY.  I couldn't think straight, he me to a room..and, he..HE-"

Derpy paused, a terrible look on her face.

"i..I sh-should've listened to Carrot Top, I should've known he was just another bully..

  Only instead of calling me names..he USED me like I was a thing, thinking I was too stupid to do anything about it."

Twilight was speechless, Shocked, Finally she mustered up the strength to speak.

"but, DIDN'T you do something?? Didn't you report him!!?"

"I tried, but nopony would believe me.

  they said I was either Too Drunk, or "confused",  HE claimed it never happened..everyone but Me (and Carrot Top) believed him."

"oh, Derpy.."

"i-I had Dinky some time later..but, I 'NEVER' hated her, I LOVED my little muffin, and I didn't want to give her up."

Twilight looked at Derpy. "What was it like..raising her??"

Derpy smiled once more.

"It was..Tricky, but I my Best Friend Carrot Top helping me (I even found the NICEST Foalsitter, Sparkler, whose like a Big Sister to Dinky!!)

  Sure, Parenthood had it's "DOWNS-and-UPS", but Dinky's made my life So Wonderful!!..I wouldn't trade those years for Anything."

Derpy then looked at Twilight.

"But, why are YOU so worried??!, You have a much better chance than I have, and I still turned out alright."

Twilight stared at Derpy, puzzled. "What do you mean??"

"Well..I may know some things, But I'm not the "smartest" Pony in Ponyville, I mess up alot, and the father of my filly never loved me to begin with.

  but, Your a Supergenius, Twilight!!, You hardly ever mess things up, and I KNOW that Alex loved you a lot: so..If I could do alright, How bad can YOU do?!"

Twilight thought Long and Hard about this, finally..she smiled, realising that Derpy was right.

"your right, Derpy..You are RIGHT: maybe I am taking things Too Seriously, Maybe all I need to do is trust myself."

"EXACTLY!!" exclaimed Derpy, raising both hooves in the air

Just then, Spike walked up. "Hey..What are you two talking about??"

"Nothing..just Mare Stuff." said Twilight, quickly

Spike stared..then, shrugged. "Oh-kay, I'll just go get something to eat, then."

With that, Spike walked off to where the Kitchen was, Derpy then stretched out her front legs, and stood up.

"I'd better head back.." Began Derpy "You have a Letter to read, and I have a daughter who expects me home in the morning."

Twilight smiled. "Okay, I won't keep you."

Derpy smiled, she then looked down at Alex Jr..and, patted his head.

Twilight looked at Derpy's frown. "you really do miss him..don't you??"

Derpy nodded.

"he didn't think i was stupid.." said Derpy, sadly "he was..m-my friend."

Derpy then smiled wide. "Oh, well..at least we have JUNIOR!!"

with that, Derpy trotted off happily, Again humming a pleasant tune.

Once she was gone..Twilight exhaled, she then looked down at her son..and, stroked his mane.

"yes..at least we DO."

Twilight at last took her letter, and using her magic, opened it..Inside looked like an Invitation.

'PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE.

You are Cordially Invited to the Hearth's Warming Ball at the Crystal Kingdom,

hosted by Princess Can-Dance, and her consort Captain Shine Arms.

It is our hope that you will attend.'

Twilight gasped.

"Cadance?!, Shining!?, Want ME to be at their Party!!?"

a dumbfounded expression then appeared on her face. "Can-Dance!?, Shine ARMS!!?, hmm..must be a Typo."

Twilight looked at her son..who smiled at her, and giggled, Twilight smiled, then called out.

"SPIIIIIKE!!!"

"((YEAH!!?))" called Spike from another room

"Pack some BAGS, We're all going to the CRYSTAL KINGDOOOOM!!!"