A Sparkle in the Sky

Chapters

The Beginning
The meeting
Bonding
Babysitter
Luna Heliopolis!
Adventures in the Kitchen

The Beginning

Twilight Sparkle woke up in her small bedroom, and immediately felt scared. Her limbs clenched up and her heart raced. The back of her head began to itch and she knew exactly what was happening just from the short scream she heard echoing throughout the house.

Somewhere across the hall of the small two bedroom house she could hear her mothers voice. It sounded like her mother was in pain of some sort. Twilight knew that when her mother made those sounds she was with a strange man. And they were doing strange things.

She didn't like hearing her mother that way. She promised she would never do it again. Every single time.

A tear rolled down Twilights cheek as the sounds grew louder. Her anger grew towards her mother and she silently pounded her dirty old pillow with her tiny fist. Hot tears stung her tiny purple face as she assaulted her pillow, letting out all her frustration.

Why? Why did she keep doing that? She knew they didn't have a lot of money but Twilight hated when her mother would betray her and do bad things with those mean men just to get some extra cash.

After a while of crying and hitting, Twilight sat up in her bed. She stared at the walls that were cracking from age and neglect.

“God, please….It’s me, Twilight Sparkle. Please please please send me an angel….Take me away…” Twilight closed her eyes for a moment and waited for a reply. It didnt come as she expected and she lay back again in bed with a heavy sigh. Oh well, maybe next time she could get an answer. But for now, she knew what would help her get over her irritation with her mother and whoever was with her in the other room.

The only thing that could keep her calm in times like this was a good book. Twilight loved to read. She read all the time. Morning, afternoon, and night. She was always reading.

Because it was the middle of the night and they had little electricity, Twilight lit a candle. She grabbed her latest Daring Do book and sat on her bed.

She could still hear her mother and the strange man, so she plugged her ears with tissue she always kept under her pillow. It helped tons, and she could finally focus on the story that was in front of her.

She opened the book to the page she left off on earlier that day, and began to read.

Daring Do crossed the path that would lead her straight into the tunnel of many mysteries……..

This was Twilight Sparkle's life at the age of eight. Little did she know, it was all about to change.

……………..

Twilight heard a muffled scream, then a crash. The sound made her jump in fear. It must have been a pretty loud crash if she could hear it through her earplugs.

"Oh no," she whispered. She unplugged her ears to hear her mother screaming on the top of her lungs. It sounded like the man was yelling too. But this yelling was different.

The kind of yelling that made her scared for her mothers life. Another crash sounded like her mothers body hitting a wall.

" DONT YOU DARE TOUCH HER!!" Her mother screeched.

" Get out of the way!" Came a deep male voice." This is what I pay you for!"

" No, please!" Then came a slap, and Twilight's mother yelped.

Twilight froze in her bed. The voices were coming closer, she could hear footsteps coming down the hallway. She quickly closed her book and hid under the covers.

No, not again, don't hurt Mommy, not again...

Instead of shivering and hiding until the fight was over, Twilights bedroom door burst open. This never happened before ! What could she do now, someone was in her room!

Twilight's mother screamed." TWILIGHT! RUN!"

Twilight lifted her blanket and saw her mother half dressed, with blood dripping down her nose. It was an atrocious sight, and Twilight knew that the mean looking man had hit her mother.

The strange man stepped into the room and looked at Twilight. He was a frightful sight. He towered at least a whole head over Twilights mother. He was absolutely monstrous. Just the sight of him made Twilight freeze in fear.

"Move!"

He pushed Twilight's mother out of the room and walked over to Twilight. He grabbed her arms and pulled her out of her bed.

Twilight screamed." Mommy!"

The man started to hurt Twilight by pressing her down on the side of her bed, he was trying to take her clothes off. Twilight didn't know what to do so she tried to hit him, but he wouldn't budge.

"Mommy help!" Twilight cowered in the man’s grasp.

Twilight Velvet yelled and reentered the room, swinging a lamp at the man's ugly head. It shattered against his large beefy head, splitting the air with a loud cracking sound.

" ARGH!" He lifted his hands to cradle his head, his face contorted in pain. This gave Twilight enough time to wiggle out of his strong grasp. She stumbled onto the floor, relieved to be free. Twilight Velvet grabbed her daughters arm and pulled her out of the room, leaving the ugly man unconscious on the floor of Twilights room. Her mother ran to the front door of the house and pushed Twilight out of the door.

Her eyes were scared, and it made Twilight feel even more terrified.

"Mommy, what are you doing? You promised!" Her mother ignored her and crouched down to her daughters eye level.

"Twi, you have to go to the park-"

"Mom! I don't know what you're talking -"

"Please, he will hurt you. It's not safe here. Now run to the park and I swear I will come and get you. I need to call the police to come and get him, go!”

Twilight sobbed. She was so terrified, she couldn't move her legs.

Her mother pushed her and ran to the house door.

"Twilight, go! " she looked sadly at her daughter once more, then ran back into the house and slammed the door.

Twilight took a minute to recover her surroundings. It was pitch black outside, except for the faint light of street lamps. There was no one else around to help her. She didn't know any of her neighbors. She could only do what her mother told her.

She ran.

By memory of all the times she went with her mother to the park, she was able to find it in less than an hour. She was breathing hard, shivering from the cold, but she kept moving as fast as she could.

I have to be there for when mommy comes. She thought to herself. I can't be late. She said she would come for me. I just hope the police take the mean man away.

Twilight sighed as she reached the deserted park. It was usually full of children laughing and playing, and many people liked to walk on the trail that led to a patch of woods. But it was almost the end of the night so nobody was around.

It was cold and Twilight could see each breath she took, as her breath turned to fog in front of her.

Where do I wait for her?

Twilight spotted an old bench just outside of the pathway that led to a field of trees and plants. It could conceal her from anyone noticing her. She ran to the bench and climbed on top of it. She curled her legs up to her chin, and wrapped her arms around her knees. Feeling a little warmth returning to her body, Twilight laid down on the bench and cried herself to sleep.

The meeting

Celestia Solaris fixed her iPod that was clutched to her arm by a runners band as she ran down the dirt road. Once it was securely latched on, she pushed play and began listening to her favorite music.

She was surrounded by trees and woods as she ran her morning jog. She loved seeing the nature around her. It was her favorite time of the day. For she got to see the sunrise at exactly the same time everyday after she finished her jog. At exactly the same place.

She was halfway to her destination when her mind started to wander about the things life was making her think about nowadays.

Her job, and how she was quickly making it the top of her industry; Solar energy sciences. Her boss had just promoted her to lead engineer in the lab she was working in for four years now. Her salary was more than any of her classmates in high school now made, and it's what she worked for her whole life.

The only thing was that even though she had always been the smartest girl in school, and she finally achieved her goal, she still felt an empty spot in her heart.

She lived alone, with no family.

When she was in high school she couldn't wait to get out into the world and excel at her studies. Now she was finding lately that her efforts were rewarded, but at the same time she was so very lonely.

All her old school mates who still lived near the city had boyfriends, or husbands, or even big families. She wanted to make an effort to get out and know more people, but when she tried to make plans, the lab would suddenly hit a breakthrough and she had to fall off the grid for a while to work.

Of course, she could make friends with her fellow physicists, but they were just as socially awkward as her, or maybe even more. And most of the scientists in the lab resented her for being so young and making it so far in the science world. Every time a new discovery was made, and her name was in the papers, the scientists In her department would give her nasty glares or sore attitudes. Usually it didn't bother her. But now she was starting to get uncomfortable at her own job.

As she let out a heavy sigh of depression, Celestia quickly remembered why was she was even running in the first place. Of course, to see the sun rise. Today they were predicting a small solar flare to reach the earth and make it about thirty degrees hotter than it was supposed to be. This lifted her spirit slightly, and she forgot about her own heart problems for a while.

Celestia reached the end of the trail that led into the large community park. This ended her run and she walked over to the bench she always sat at. Before she reached it, she saw a small lump sitting on the wooden bench. It had dark indigo hair, with a small pink streak, and purple arms.

It was a girl. Sleeping on the bench.

Celestia began to worry. She never saw anyone this early in the morning, and the child was alone.

Celestia took her earphones out and put her iPod in her pocket. She walked up to the sleeping girl and tentatively placed a hand on her back.

"Sweetie? Hello? Where are your parents ?"

The purple girl stirred and opened her large eyes. She looked up at Celestia.

The first thing Celestia felt was sadness. Pure sadness in the girls purple eyes.

This compelled Celestia to sit down next to her. The girl teared up and met Celestias gaze. Then the girl spoke, her voice hoarse.

"She ... Said she was coming for me."

………………

Twilight looked at the pretty woman sitting next to her.

Why was she still here, her mother should have come for her. Was the man still at their house?

"Um , are you alright?" Twilight blinked. The woman was talking to her again. "She should have come." Twilight blurted.

The woman looked confused."I'm sorry, who should have come?"

Twilight grabbed at her pajama pants, and twisted them in her hands. "Mommy." She whispered. "She told me to come here. If I'm correct, that was about three and a half hours ago, judging by the position of the sun and moon. And she isn't here. The terrible man could still be there, or she could even be looking for me."

Twilight felt a gentle hand touch her back.

At first, she seemed alarmed by the gesture from the stranger, but one look into the woman's beautiful magenta eyes told her everything she needed to know.

It was like looking at an angel.

She was white skinned, and had hair of many colors. It was flowy and thick, and almost sparkled. Her eyes shone in the early morning light giving off a gentle, motherly tenderness.

She was very tall, so just seeing the woman next to Twilight made her feel so small. But not in an intimidating way. It was in a way that made Twilight feel safe.

"You are very smart, What's your name?" Twilight couldn't look away from the beautiful stranger.

"Twilight. A-are you real?"

Twilight reached out to touch the strangers face. The woman's eyes widened in surprise slightly, but she chuckled. She let Twilight rub her cheek.

"Yes, I believe so. My name is Celestia."

"Celestia..." Twilight heard the name but didn't believe it. This was too good to be true. Twilight thought, I must be dead...

"Celestia. Yes. How old are you darling?" Celestia went back to being concerned for Twilight.

Twilight appreciated it. She felt better knowing someone cared. Someone could help her.

"I'm eight. I'm in the third grade, and I go to Canterlot elementary. The only thing is, I can't find my mom and I need help. There is a bad man at our house..."

………………..

Celestia was mortified. This couldn't be right. How could a person so small and fragile have been through so much in her short life?

It was unfair, and cruel the way life was. Celestia felt a pain deep inside herself.She was terrified for this little girl. And quite frankly, she was angry.

What kind of mother would sell herself to a stranger? Knowing she could be putting her own daughter at risk? Celestia wanted to help Twilight but how?

That's when Twilight began to plead to Celestia.

"Please, If you are the angel I've been praying for , help me. I need to find my mom. The police can arrest that man for hurting her and me, and we will be safe again."

Celestia looked into Twilights large violet eyes. She was so helpless...

Celestia stood up. She knew what she had to do.

" I am no angel, but I can certainly help you. Come, we need to get you to the Police Station."

Twilight followed Celestia, and reached her little purple hand into Celestia's large white one.

They walked through the woods and back to the path Celestia normally jogged to get to her home.

Finally, they reached her home, a two story house. It was white with a fence surrounding the front lawn. Celestia quickly opened the fence and ran to her front door. She grabbed her car keys out of her purse she kept by the door, opened the garage and helped Twilight into her car.

Twilight was silent until they both were on the way to the police department. "I have a feeling mommy will be in trouble with the police." The little girl said solemnly.

Celestia cringed. Prostitution was illegal. If her mother was found out, she would go to jail for it. That was if the man who Twilight said attacked her hadn't hurt Twilight's mother already. They needed to hurry.

"Yes dear, she...she will be."

Twilight turned to Celestia.

"Celestia." The purple girl said in a serious tone." Don't tell them what she was doing with him. Please. I need my mommy, I don't have anyone else." Twilight's voice broke at the end of her sentence and she looked away from Celestia.

Celestia turned her gaze back to the road and sighed.

"I will try." She wanted to comfort the little girl but figured if she stayed silent, things could be left unsaid for a while and Twilight would have a few less things to worry about.

If only this world would be kind to this one child. Celestia thought to herself. Maybe I'd have more faith in humanity.

............,......................

Celestia opened the large dark door to the police station. Trailing behind her was Twilight Sparkle, the scared girl she promised to help.

She reached to hold Twilights hand but the girl was shaking from head to toe. Twilight's jaw clenched, and she looked like she would freeze in place. Her eyes were wide with fear as she looked around her at the police officers.

Celestia leaned down to meet Twilights eye level and spoke softly, " I promise you you will be alright. I promise."

"Pinkie?" Twilight said in a small and shaky voice.

"Pinkie promise." Celestia brought her smallest finger and wrapped it around Twilights Pinkie finger which was sweating from being clamped shut. Twilight visibly calmed down, and her jaw relaxed. Her squeeze was deathly tight on Celestia's hand, however.

Celestia reached the receptionists' desk and spoke up.

" I'm here to alert the police department that someone may be seriously hurt, and that this little girl was attacked last night by a strange man in her home."

The receptionist looked at Twilight and frowned slightly." Wait a moment, I will get the chief down here for you."

Twilight buried her head in Celestia's shirt as they stood and waited for the head officer.

There was a quick phone call, and then the door by the receptionists' desk opened.

A tall dark man with a suit and tie walked in. His expression was solemn and he looked at Twilight in Celestia's arms.

"Is this Twilight Sparkle?"

Celestia feared the next words he said. But she nodded in response to the chief of police.

"I'm going to need the child to come with me please.We have been looking for her for hours."

Celestia looked down at Twilight and then back up at the officer. Twilight shook her head, but Celestia took Twilights arms from her waist and tried to step away.

As soon as the officer put his hand out for Twilight to join him, she ran back to Celestia's side and buried her face again.

"Don't, please," Her muffled voice said.

Celestia looked at the officer and said, "Do you think you could tell me?"

The officer put his hand down and sighed." I am sorry to say it like this, and if here is anything I can do to help, please, let me know. I just sent a team out to investigate Twilight's home. Late last night we got a call from a neighbor of the Sparkle household.” The officer stepped closer to Celestia and his voice dropped to a quiet and consoling tone.

"I'm afraid there was a terrible fight around the time Twilight went missing. It's your mother Twilight. She was... murdered."

Celestia froze. No, this couldn't be. Oh, her heart broke for Twilight Sparkle...

Twilight looked at Celestia, her face was pale. She was in shock, Celestia could tell. What do I say ? Celestia thought frantically. She could sense something inside the little girl was going to explode any second once the news sunk in.

Her mouth moved to speak, but all the little girl did was shake her head.

"No, nonono! " Twilight dropped to her knees. Her hands clenched at her own hair and she shook uncontrollably.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!!"

……………….

Twilight couldn't see anymore. Her body was weak from malnutrition but it wasn't the only reason that her eyes went numb.

Her whole world came crashing down in that one sentence the Police officer said to her.

She was murdered. Murdered...murdered....

The words kept swimming inside of her body and her whole being until it made her limbs fail to support her, and she slammed into the ground of the police office.

Life just kept throwing wave after wave of new things to make it a living hell. She couldn't take it any more. That evil man took everything from her. Everything.

Twilight laid there after she screamed. Everything in her body refused to move.

She couldn't cry. She couldn't yell. She lied there. Still. Her body wouldn't respond to her mind but she didnt mind. She was completely numb.

She heard Celestia's worried voice, the chief, the receptionist were all trying to get her attention but Twilight felt as if she were in another world.

Her mother was dead, and she couldn't do anything about it...

Twilight Velvet Sparkle wouldn't be coming for her.

Even though she promised.

...........................

Twilight woke up in a bed that was unfamiliar to her. She felt something taped to her arm but couldn't see it. Her eyes struggled to stay awake as she slowly lifted her head above the pillow she was resting on. She saw an IV strapped to her arm.

So she was in a hospital bedroom. She figured as much since she fainted on the ground of the police station. The lights were dim, and the curtains drawn. She didn't recognize the hospital.

The memory of the police office came back to haunt Twilight. He had just told her... No. Twilight didn't want to think about it. She clenched her eyes shut, she didn't want to remember. Don't remember ! Don't remember! She thought furiously.

But it plagued her mind. The screaming, the hitting. The man's hands touching her in places she didn't want to be touched in. The scars, the ones that would never heal began to burn in Twilight's heart in more ways than she could imagine. Twilight wished she hadn't run away to the park. She wished she never left her mother's side... She had sacrificed herself for Twilight. She should have never left her...

A hot tear fell down Twilight's cheek and she didn't wipe it. She stayed absolutely still. Her eyes were still shut, arms down to her side. She wanted to box herself in like this forever.

She was alone again. Even the angel left. And that was what broke her heart the most. God had given up on Twilight and made the angel Celestia return to heaven.

All of a sudden, there was a rustle of noise and she felt a hand wipe away her tear. Her right eye twitched where the soft white hand touched her. Moving her head slowly to the right she saw Celestia looking at her with concern.

"You're awake, " Said the angels sweet voice.

"You're back," Twilight breathed." Why didn't you go back to heaven?" Her voice sounded so crisp, because her throat hurt from screaming.

Celestia smiled." I told you, I'm not an angel Twilight."

Twilight’s eyes filled with tears. " Ok then. But did they catch the bad man?"

Celestia looked down. "They did... He's in custody now."

Twilight caught her breath." Oh. I’m so glad. Can they lock him away forever now?"

Celestia nodded and smiled. "Forever Twilight."

Twilight nodded and felt a piece of her heavy heart being lifted." At least mommy will be avenged."

Celestia moved closer to Twilight and held her hand. Twilight felt safe again. Through everything that happened, she felt safe.

" I know we met only five hours ago... But I feel like the past few hours have been life changing for me Twilight Sparkle. And for you as well. I only wish the best for you when they find you a new home."

Twilight's heart sank." A f- foster home?"

Celestia nodded." Yes...it will be for the best sweetie."

Celestia squeezed Twilight's hand for reassurance but Twilight shook her head.

"No. No I can't ! I can't go back to a foster home, I can't! "

Celestia tried to calm Twilight but she couldn't take it anymore.

"No, please! Do you know what those places are like? No! You don't. The foster home I went to while my mom went to jail once was horrible! Please don't let them send me there Celestia."

Twilight could feel her stomach churning. The memories of past foster homes and neglectful parents swum in her mind and threatened to consume her had a gentle hand not stopped her from worrying.

Celestia stroked Twilight's hair and comforted her.

" I suppose you could stay with me.."

Twilight froze." What?"

Celestia sighed." I know I just met you, but I feel like this was supposed to happen. This was meant to be, you know? I know it sounds far fetched but... I once lost my family too. I know what it feels like. Maybe you could stay with me until a new and better home comes along?"

Twilight couldn't stop herself from saying,"bwah, huh?"

" Oh, Twilight. " Celestia giggled." So, does that sound like a deal. Twilight nodded her head.

"Yes! Oh thank you, thank you so much." Her big purple eyes began to tear up, and again, her caretaker was there to dry them.

Bonding

Twilight looked around her in awe. She hadn't had the luxury of being inside a home like this her entire life.

Actually, it was a mansion to her.

Here she was three days after her mothers murder, in Celestia's home once everything was approved by the police for Twilight staying with Celestia.

Twilight had been visited everyday by Celestia in the hospital, which was quite touching to the eight year old's heart. It really kept her going when she couldn't stop the grief from taking her again.

The reason she was kept so long in the hospital was because she was so weak from not eating healthy enough. Twilights vital signs were showing up as if she were a dying elderly person. She was beyond dehydrated, underfed, and dirty. Dirty meant she had infections in certain parts of her body from not being washed properly.

Now a couple days and baths later she was finally in her temporary home. She still cried over her mother, but with each visit from Celestia she was beginning to feel loved and safe. Things she never had all at once when she was living with her mother.

Celestia touched Twilight's shoulder lightly with her hand.

"I'm afraid I have to leave to work Soon. I've arranged for a babysitter to watch you."

Twilight looked up at Celestia wearily. Celestia read her expression as if she had spoken out loud.

"It's ok, the chief of police recommended her. I heard she's the best sitter available on such short notice."

Twilight still frowned.

"I'll get you a new book on astronomy if you behave?"

Twilight smiled.

With a win win arranged, she turned around and looked around the house again, taking in every detail.

There was a spiral set of wooden stairs that led to a long hallway of bedrooms. To her left there was the front living room, it was covered in spotless white carpet.

The walls were clean, the floors shone proud from having only the utmost care. Straight ahead was the dining room where a large wooden table sat big enough to sit a whole family. Even all the wooden furniture in the house looked brand new, and was polished without a single piece of dust clouding the gleaming surfaces.

Twilight stared at everything in a trance and felt Celestia nudge her.

"Twilight? Would you like to see your room?"

Twilights jaw dropped. "There's more?"

Celestia giggled lightly and took her hand in hers.Twilight followed her up the tall staircase. Up close, Twilight could see the detail put into the metal railing of the stairs. There was a large sun, and next to it, the moon.

She loved it.

Celestia walked down to the end of the hallway and turned the knob of the last door before the master bedroom.

"Here you go, right next to me. I originally had this room decorated for someone.... But they never come to visit anymore. So it's yours to have until the police find someone to adopt you."

When the door swung open, Twilight could hardly believe her eyes.

The whole room was like walking into a beautiful night sky.

On the walls, stars and constellations were carefully painted according to their places in

the sky.

On the twin sized bed there was a starry comforter, complete with large crescent moon shaped pillows. Above the bed there were glow in the dark stickers in the shape of moons and stars stuck to the ceiling.

On the floor there were two huge blue bean bags. Twilight sat on one of them and sunk in to the cushion. She sighed from the comfiness off the bag until she spotted a book shelf to her right.

She jumped up and scuttled over to the towering shelf.

It was stuffed with books. All on astronomy and more specifically; the moon.

"There are no words..."

She reached out and grabbed a big, thick book.

It was titled: So, Thou Wishes To Study The Moon.(A book about the moon and everything it is made of.) By Luna Heliopolis.

"Oh! I've read all of Luna Heliopolis's books! Have you read them?"

Celestia looked at Twilight like she had fallen from the sky. "I'm sorry, did you say you've read her books?"

"Every last one of them, she explains things so well! I only wish she was more popular... It seems like no one appreciates the stars anymore. Except for you! I mean look at this room." Twilight waved her small arm around the bedroom to prove her point.

Celestia gave Twilight a look of disbelief so Twilight said, "Have you read any of Luna Heliopolis's studies?"

Celestia closed her mouth and nodded.

"Every last one." She was silent for a while. For some reason Twilight felt like Celestia was a little sad being in this room. The way her eyes got misty when she looked at the walls or ceiling made Twilight sad too.

So Twilight put the book down and hugged the tall woman with her little arms.

"Thank you." She whispered into her caretakers side.

Celetia stroked Twilight's indigo hair with a motherly touch and answered,

"It's nothing, lulu."

"Huh?"

"Twilight" Celestia said quickly." I mean Twilight. It's nothing. I don't mind at all. Feel free to read anything you like, I need to go get ready for work now." With that, Celestia left the room. Twilight was a little confused but shrugged it off. It was such a long day from waiting to be checked out of the hospital to the settling in Celestia's home, she was too tired to worry about anything else..

Twilight took off running to the bed and jumped on it. Her head slammed into the big white pillows and her arms flailed about.She couldn't believe after all she had been through things were finally getting better. She looked up into her night ceiling. She felt like she was looking straight at the heavens every time she went stargazing.

"Hello, and thank you." She said to her protecter she believed in." Thank you so much for giving me an angel."

……………..

Celestia retreated to her bedroom as soon as she had let her mouth slip. Control yourself! You promised never to speak about her again... Celestia yelled at herself silently. She hadn't meant for Lulu to slip out. The nick name of someone very dear to her. She had thrown that name into the back of her mind, and hoped to forget it. Unfortunately, she had the one of the greatest minds in modern sciences and could not forget anything she took into account. She just couldn't think about that one person unless she wanted to spend tonight locked in her bedroom, watching sappy family dramas, eating bowl after bowl of cake and ice cream while crying all over herself.

While she silently chastised herself, she bathed and changed into an appropriate outfit for work.

A nice white and purple blouse with purple slacks always seemed to work for her so she slipped those on and did her make up. She was a scientist who did her make up, yes. She found it rather silly that when she told people of her occupation, they looked her up and down and shook their heads in disbelief. Just because she wasn't wearing a lab coat and had ratty hair and was not scatter brained did not mean she couldn't be smart. Yes, even scientists could care about their looks. That was one thing Celestia always tried to tell her sister... Now Celestia was back to thinking about her again. Giving up, she looked at her reflection in her mirror.

Oh, I miss you so much Luna. She thought, not able to push away the pain that was coming back to her all at once. I wish it didn't have to be this way... Celestia shook her head and straightened her posture. She didn't need tears ruining her make up.

When Celestia got this way she would try to get the image of her little sister out of her head by distracting herself with something. Most of the time it was cake that could do the job. At least for a little while...

But she had a better way to be distracted this time. She tried to think about her newest little guest. Celestia felt something when she met the purple girl laying on the bench in the park a couple mornings ago. Something told her that she was about to be making a big decision in her life very soon. And each hour she spent at the hospital confirmed it. She was starting to feel the hole in her heart begin to fill up. With a strange feeling she hadn't felt in almost ten years. She didn't feel so lonely anymore. This made her smile, as she got ready for work. She didn't notice the smile placed on her lips thought it was there. Brought on from the deepest part of her heart, it was there, holding its place on her face for quite a while

Celestia realized she had brushed her colorful hair already and was combing at thin air. She was getting lost in her own thoughts again.

She chuckled to herself and reached for her bracelets on the nightstand beside her bed.

She just couldn't get it out of her head that Twilight had actually read those lunar books.

They were written at college level, how did Twilight even come across them? Also, just how smart was Twilight? She was curious, because the girl seemed to have potential for a future scientist if she wanted to be one. Her curious, big eyes were always observing. Her speech was clear and well thought out. Unlike any eight year old she had ever met, Twilight seemed to possess a certain understanding for even the most adult situations.

When her mother died, all Twilight could do was cry. But then Celestia told her that the man who murdered her mother was caught and would be locked away forever. Twilight accepted it and tried her best to make things better. This both amazed Celestia and shook her to her core.

If this little girl could get through her life after all she had been through, then Celestia hopefully could find the strength to do the same.

Celestia reached for her perfume and sprayed the liquid on herself.

It was almost time to meet the babysitter. She hoped to the sun that the Police Chief had been right about this sitter.

Cadence Amore didn't come cheap, but money wasn't the problem with Celestia.

She just wasn't too keen on leaving Twilight alone with a stranger. Even if the police officer recommended Cadence, she still needed to meet her. Face to face. Celestia always had a good way of reading people. One meeting was all she needed to determine if she trusted Amore.

Soon, Celestia heard the doorbell ring throughout the house, and little feet came padding up the hallway to her door.

"Celestia?" Came Twilight's small voice." I think someone is here,"

Celestia placed her last bracelet on her wrist before reaching to open the door. She looked down at Twilight and smiled warmly. "That must be Cadence."

Twilights mouth moved into an O as she understood who was at the door. But the child was staring at Celestia a little too long and realized she was blocking the doorway. Blushing, Twilight quickly moved out of the way so Celestia could walk down the stairs.

Well that was strange... Thought Celestia. Shrugging it off, straightened her back as she walked so she wouldn't slouch.

Celestia hoped that the sitter would at least be a kind young girl. Then she would feel so much better knowing Twilight was in good hands...

Celestia reached for the handle of her front door, already looking at the shadow of a woman outside through the glazed glass window.

She opened it, and a teenage girl with pink hair smiled and waved at Celestia.

"Celestia Solaris? Hi, I'm Cadence." Cadence put her pink hand out to shake Celestia's.

She looks decent. Thought Celestia. Her clothes were clean and cute, and not revealing in any way. She wore a light blue shirt with a pink skirt that stretched down past her knees modestly. Her hair was up in a combed ponytail, which revealed her big, and kind pink eyes.

The thing Celestia admired most about her appearance was that like Celestia, her posture was perfect. Her shoulders were back to show confidence. Her chin held high showing she had self esteem, and her eye contact never left Celestia's, proving she had respect for the older woman.

Oh my, I sound like an old lady... Thought Celestia. Celestia reached back out to the young girl and shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Cadence. Come on in, Twilight is upstairs, I'll be back."

After showing Cadence in to her home, Celestia closed the front door and walked upstairs to Twilights new room.

"Twilight?" Celestia pushed open the door to Twilights room to see the little girl sitting on a bean bag, staring off into space. Literally, she was studying her ceiling which was full of stars. Celestia smiled at seeing her guest so fascinated by the walls.

"Your new babysitter is here, why don't you come down and meet her?"

Twilight obeyed and removed herself from the beanbag, following Celestia back down the stairs. Celestia walked into the front living room, holding a little purple hand as the owner of that hand tried to hide behind Celestia's legs.

Celestia saw how Twilight's expression changed from nervousness, to surprise as she took in the sight of her new babysitter. Twilight stared at her babysitter, not saying a word.

Celestia put a hand on Twilights' shoulder and looked at Cadence.

As Celestia was about to say something to Twilight for not being polite, Cadence made the first move. She politely smiled and put her hand out to Twilight.

"Hello sweetie, I'm Cadence. You must be Twilight." Her smiled stayed cheery even when the awkward silence followed.

Twilight stood with her mouth agape and her purple arms hanging to her sides. Celestia gently nudged her and Twilight quickly swung a little purple hand to meet Candece's pink one.

"You're so pretty..." She blurted.

Celestia brought a hand to her mouth to stifle her giggle. Twilight was so funny, the way she was so honest about things, the way most children were. It reminded her of a certain someone she missed dearly.... Oh stop it Celestia! Control your emotions...

Cadence giggled and replied,"And I just have to say you are the most prettiest girl I've ever sat for." Twilights pupils grew to the size of dinner plates as she looked up into Cadences slightly lighter eyes.

"Really?"

"Really, " said Cadence, bopping Twilight's nose.

Celestia chuckled at the exchange. I think I like her.... She thought. Then she met Cadences gaze. "I think the Police filled you in on the situation?" Celestia asked in a more serious tone.

Cadence looked down and nodded. She smiled compassionately at Twilight and said,"Yes,I'm sorry for your loss Twilight. I too lost my mom when I was your age." Twilight looked down at her feet and took a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry too. Well, I guess I'm not alone then."

Cadence nodded, still showing sadness in her eyes. She smiled though, trying to keep the mood light for Twilight.

"Nope. And you won't be as long as I'm here."

Twilight smiled thankfully at her new babysitter. Celestia could sense these two would be alright while she was gone. Some thing about Cadence just seemed so... Right. Once Twilight spent more time with her sitter she was sure she'd be more excited about this arrangement as well.

Now she could see why the chief of police had been so eager to recommend Cadence. With her background, she was sure to understand and care for Twilight correctly. Twilight would need a lot more than three days in a hospital to be fully ok. And with Cadence and Celestia, maybe it would happen.

Cadence stood up straight again and smiled cheerfully at Celestia.

"I have to say, when I heard I was sitting for you, I couldn't help but get all giddy. I'm a big fan of your work, Ms. Solaris."

Celestia smiled and nodded her head. She was always flattered when someone recognized her Science work.

Cadence continued."I think that the discoveries you've made with Solar sciences are world changing."

Celestia chuckled." Oh, you flatter me so, thank you Cadence."

Cadences eyebrows shot up suddenly as Twilight whipped her head around.

She looked at Celestia with wide eyes. Celestia found it adorable.

"You are a scientist!?"

Celestia gave a small chuckle." Yes, I am."

Twilight looked like one of those teapots that accumulated so much steam inside of them, they just had to let it all out in one big and long whistle.

"Omigosh, I'm staying with a real life scientist. And did you say a solar scientist? You study the sun? Oh my goodness how cool!"

Twilight was bouncing from excitement, making the two grown woman on either side of her laugh from her little display. She is just too cute... Thought Celestia. I'm glad to see she isn't too grown up."Yes Twilight, I am a solar science engineer. I study the sun, and create ways to take it's energy for the benefit of humankind."

Cadence chimed in, and Twilight turned to listen. "Also, did you know that Celestia created the first solar panel? That's why she was all over the news when I was your age. What an accomplished scientist, I'll say."

Celestia found it surprising someone that young new about her discovery. "Oh, it was years ago. Solar panels are old now." Celestia said modestly.

"True, you've made more discoveries since then, but did you know Twilight she made this discovery when she was my age? She was seventeen!"

Twilight looked like she might start to float. Her hands clasped in front of her chest as she tried to control her overwhelming amazement with her new caretaker."That is...so wonderful...." She breathed, smiling widely at Celestia.

Celestia blushed lightly at all the praise she was receiving. Celestia let a few moments go by while Twilight fawned over her temporary parent figure, before she leaned down to hug the purple girl.

"I need to leave now. I'll see you when I get back!"

Twilight hugged back, but with more force than Celestia wished she would give. The little girl almost made Celestia's neck collapse. "Oh, if you make a discovery today will you tell me all about it?" Twilight took her arms off of Celestia's neck, and then moved back to meet Celestia's eyes. Twilight played with her purple bangle bracelet on Celestia's arm, waiting for a response.

Celestia chuckled." Of course Twilight, anything for you."

Twilight looked up at Celestia with awe."F- for me?"

"Of course," Celestia smiled.

Twilight began to tear up, but she had a smile on her face. She laughed and swallowed hard, pushing back her emotional tears. "Wow, um th -thank you Celestia! "

Celestia ruffled Twilights dark blue hair with her right hand. Then, stood up at her full height, and towered over the little girl.

"Now, behave for Cadence while I'm gone, although I'm sure I'll be leaving you in good hands." Celestia smiled and winked at Cadence one more time before grabbing her purse, keys and briefcase. Waving goodbye to Twilight who returned the wave, she shut the door and locked it.

Already she wanted to go back inside and spend time with Twilight, the new person in her life who seemed to always bring a smile to her face. She just had to go to work though. .. She had been coming in late to work for the past couple of days, which her boss understood.

Celestia was grateful her boss was quite smitten with her, otherwise she'd be in trouble with her job. She sighed and walked to her car. Ok, Better get it over with then. She thought. If I finish up my research early, maybe I'll get home before seven. She would make sure to make a quick call to Cadence in a couple of hours to see how the two younger girls get along on. Their first day together.

This would be an interesting day for sure. Thought Celestia.

Babysitter

Twilight watched Celestia leave and was saddened slightly. She had wanted to keep talking and spend more time together like they did at the hospital. But of course, Twilight knew she must have a job. By the looks of her house, she expected it to be a very good job.

She didn't expect a scientist however.

And solar energy sciences! Twilight was so fascinated by the beautiful and mysterious woman she now shared a home with. To have made a revolutionary science discovery at the age of seventeen must mean that Celestia Solaris was a genius! She was living with a genius. Twilight couldn't help but shake from excitement.

She wondered if she could teach her all about solar energy systems and what not...Twilight stared out if the window to the front of the house wistfully, and Cadence seemed to notice.

She put a soft pink hand on Twilight's shoulder and said, " she'll only be gone for five hours today. It'll go fast, I promise."

Twilight looked up at her babysitter. "Ok, "

Twilight did promise her caretaker she would behave. Don't be a brat , Twilight. She thought to herself. You promised.

Cadence clasped her hands together and smiled cheerfully.

"Ok, I think you and I should play something."

Twilight shrugged her shoulders up and down." That's a good idea." She answered.

"What do you want to play?" Twilight tried to think of an idea while Cadence stood thinking for a moment as well.

Cadence put a finger in the air. "Ah, I have just the thing for someone your age."

Twilight curiously watched as the pink girl pulled out of her bag a small white box that said: FLASHCARDS on the front.

"Third grade level flashcards on science, math and English." Cadence looked at Twilight and held out the box.

"Sound fun?"

Twilight nodded politely. I just hope it's not easy stuff like.....

.....................

"What does this say?" Said the ever cheerful teenage girl.

"Umbrella." Said Twilight, the sound of boredom barely stifled in her tone.

The two girls sat in the front living room on the white carpet, the box of flashcards between them. The sun came shining brightly through the big windows that faced the front of the house. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and there was exactly seven people outside of their houses down the street. Twilight knew this because she was so bored from the easy questions the flashcards held, that she began to observe and memorize everything around her.

"Wow, what a smart girl, but I think this ones gonna stump you!" Cadence playfully teased the purple girl who was staring out of the window to her right.

Cadence held one more flashcard out in front of her.

Twilight glanced at the white card that read: 20x20= "Four hundred." Twilight said with confidence. She went back to staring out of the window.

Cadence looked down with a confused look on her face."That was a fourth grade question, how'd you know that! Wow, your even smarter than I thought."

Twilight looked at Cadence with a, you finally figured it out look.

"I guess so..." She eyed Cadence curiously." What else do you have in that box? Anything higher than fourth grade level?"

Cadence smirked." Wow, getting kind of confident huh? Well, be careful what you wish for!"

The teenage girl pulled out another card from her box of cards and held it I front of Twilight. Her expression was amused, but Twilight expected this.

The card read: how many miles away is earth from the sun?

In less than a second Twilight answered. "Ninety- three million miles."

Cadences jaw dropped.

Twilight was the one with a smirk now, and she continued.

"One hundred and fifty million kilometers."

Cadences pink eyes were wide with surprise." That was a fifth grade question ! Maybe I need to... Switch my cards.. Are you sure your eight years old?"

Twilight giggled and put her hand up to her mouth to cover her smile." Yes!" Twilight was beginning to have fun now. Even though the questions were painstakingly simple, she found joy in blowing her babysitter's mind.

Cadence pulled out another set of flashcards from her bag. " I didn't think I'd need these... But here we go."

She held out a red card that was the same shape as the last cards she'd been tested on. Cadence still looked unsure. "It's sixth grade level, let's see if this is more your pace."

Twilight read the card. Name the five layers of earths atmosphere. Twilight knew this answer but decided to play with Cadence.

"Hmm... Let's see now... This is a tough one..." She put her hand on her chin, trying to look deep in thought.

Cadence looked uneasy and put down the flashcard on the carpet. " I figured sixth grade was too hard. Do you want we could try fifth again?"

Twilight grinned and placed her hands down in her lap. She straightened her back and lifted her head up intelligently.

"The five layers of the Earth are Stratoshpere,Troposphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere,and Exosphere. "

Twilight made sure to speak with clarity which clearly impressed Cadence. Cadence dove right into her box of cards again anxious to challenge Twilights knowledge some more.

Twilight knew she was smarter than the kids in her class at school. Her teacher had the same reaction when she found out Twilight knew everything she could legally test her on.Her school teacher even wanted to move Twilight up a grade before third grade even officially started.The only problem was Twilight a mother would need to come in to school to sign the papers to allow Twilight to move up to her next level of studies. And Twilight Velvet could never be found during the day. She would be off somewhere, dealing drugs or trying to hustle for money to stay in their tiny home.

Twilight just had to remain in the third grade until she could get permission by her guardian since the school was not allowed to according to a law in Canterlot that said so. Twilight hated that law. So instead, she spent her time reading books all day to try and get as much knowledge into her brain as she could.

Cadence held card after card up to Twilight while Twilight gave her correct answers each time without fail.

Soon, what was surprise turned into amazement for Cadence. Twilight watched Cadences expressions become more and more loving with every hour they spent together. Twilight could tell Cadence liked her and this made the eight year old happy inside. First, she was given Celestia, and now Cadence! Her ztime with Cadence sent her little heart soaring.

She just couldn't believe her luck.

As the famous scientist Luna Heliopolis would put it: In space and science, many things are a million to one. ' Tis a lie with life for humans. Most million to one chances appear nine times out of ten. The impossible is not that far out of reach. Good fortune will come for those who work hard and deserve it.

Luna Heliopolis!

Twilight and Cadence sat on the bean bags in the night sky filled room. It was six o clock in the evening and the two girls had just eaten a good healthy dinner Cadence made. Now they were sitting and talking quietly, waiting for Celestia to come home. Before long, the sound of someone opening the front door with a key was heard, and Twilight perked up.

" Celestia!" The little girl jumped out of her seat and ran across the house to meet her caretaker.

Celestia walked in the house, looking just as happy to be home as Twilight was. Her soft magenta eyes smiled kindly at the little girl who threw her arms around Celestia's waist.

" Celestia!"

" Twilight, how did it go today?" She asked, hugging Twilight back.

Twilight’s eyes lit up." Cadence is just the most wonderful babysitter of all babysitters!"

As if on cue, Cadence showed up right behind Celestia and Twilight. She held her purse on her shoulder, her keys in her hand.

"Well, she is the best little girl I've ever sat for. I'm lucky to be here. Thank you Ms. Solaris."

Celestia relinquished her hold on Twilight and moved to shake Cadences hand. As her white one met Cadences pink skin she said,

"Oh, thank you Cadence! I am still getting used to caring for a child, so it's great to have someone to help out."

Cadence smiled and lifted her shoulders ," it's not even a problem, not with Twilight.Plus, ive had five years of babysitting under my belt."

Twilight noticed Cadence give Celestia a wink. "I have never met a girl smarter than that one," she pointed at Twilight and smiled benevolently. Celestia seemed impressed by Cadences statement and nodded slowly.

" Oh thank you, yes she is very smart. Did something happen while I was gone?"

Cadence nodded. " Yes, I asked her sixth grade math and science questions and she didn't miss one. Not one. Her reading level rivals my own and her English is spot on with mine. I'm a little embarrassed, but really fascinated with her. "

Celestia looked completely stunned, (but in the most graceful way you could be stunned). Twilight thought blushing. Anyhow, she couldn’t blame her, this was the reaction everyone had when they found out Twilight was a genius. Still even after all this time she wasnt very good at handling praise. All this attention she was getting was making Twilight blush so she stood silently and listened to the grown ups talk.

" I- uh, yes. I think Twilight told me she read some very advanced books before but I didn't think-oh wow." Celestia laughed at how she was so lost for words. She was looking at Twilight with awe.

Cadence giggled and opened the front door. "She is really something special." With that, the pink teenager waved at Twilight and Celestia, then disappeared out the door. Celestia turned to Twilight and put her hands on her hips.

"How did you get so smart, little one?"

Twilight giggled and shrugged modestly.

"Well, it all started when I was in first grade..."

.............................................

It was a cool day in fall, and Canterlot Elementary was to take twenty students to the Canterlot observatory. The school field trip was for selected students only. Students who showed good behavior throughout the first couple months of school. It was a rewards trip for the good kids, and Twilight was chosen by one of her teachers for the event. Of course, she needed to get her mothers signature but that hadn’t been possible because her teacher gave the permission slip to her the day before.Twilight Velvet went out to a party that night and Twilight wasnt able to get her signature due to her mother being dead asleep on the couch the morning after. Twilight had to walk to school all by herself the morning of the field trip, and when she got to school she saw the other kids boarding the bus. She so wanted to visit the observatory, that Twilight did what she had never done before. She forged her mothers signature. Of course, Twilight never saw her mothers signature before, but she imagined what it would look like , and signed it anyway. The teacher allowed her on the bus, looking at Twilight with a sad expression. Twilight felt ashamed because she could tell Ms. Smith knew that it was her own handwriting, and not her mothers. But letting her on that school trip was the best thing she could do for the first grader and no one ever found out.

The trip lasted about two hours altogether, and in those two hours Twilight’s life was changed completely. She didn’t know there was so much to learn about the sky and the planets. Space was such a special place, and Twilight knew she just had to go there one day. She also met real astronauts who came to speak to the class as they went on their tour. It was a group of really tall and smart men who looked just amazing in their space uniforms. Not the space suits, but the uniforms. ( The class was very disappointed in the fact that none of the astronauts got to keep their space suits.)

Anyway, Twilight was having a delectable time seeing all the expensive looking decorations of the solar system that were painted on the ceiling of the lecture room, when she appeared.

The entire class was seated in the first two rows of seats that were placed in a U shape around a center stage which had one microphone and podium. The room was elevated so that the entire place looked like a movie theater. The top row to the bottom was full of red theater chairs, equipped with cup holders and arm rests. The screen behind the podium on the stage lit up to reveal a slideshow.

The first slide was one that read: “To the Moon and Beyond: A Presentation by Luna Heliopolis.”

When Twilight saw the woman who walked on to the stage, her heart froze. She was so beautiful! The tall and slender woman had night blue hair with light blue streaks running through the elegant and flowy waves which reached almost down to her elbow.

Her intelligent and large teal eyes were dazzling,and they shone behind tiny reading glasses which rested on her small and thin nose. Her indigo colored dress was form fitting and professional, but not boring. Besides her marvelous appearance, which had the older boys gawking, the woman looked quite kind and maybe even a little mischievous by the grin she wore.

“Good morning Canterlot Elementary! I am Luna Heliopolis! It is so wonderful to meet you all!”

Twilight adored the way Luna spoke with a punch at the end of each of her sentences. She had confidence, and authority in her tone which made her even more enticing.

Twilight’s eyes never left the speaker until Luna held up a white remote in her right hand.

“Children, have you ever looked at the night sky?”

Twenty hands flew in the air as soon as she said those words. Twilight’s hand flew up faster than any other child in that room.

“Good! I love to see energy in young students. But, I meant to say, have you ever studied the stars? The Moon? The planets? There is so much more than to what is shown to you from your bedroom window. Few people know, or will ever know the beauty of the universe.” Luna clicked a button on her remote and suddenly, the lights in the whole theater went out. Just when Twilight thought it was a technical error, brilliant lights appeared above her head. She looked up, and saw that the ceiling was moving!

The entire ceiling looked like a three dimensional space sky, shooting stars flew across the ceiling in the wonderful display, and many planets emerged out of nowhere. It was like watching a movie, but right above their heads,and the movie was coming right out of the ceiling, almost touching her.

Luna spoke into the microphone, but Twilight could not see her. All she could see was darkness, and the projected screen above her head.

“I have studied the universe, and it’s quite a beauty. So please, take a journey with me. A journey into space!”

Unanticipatedly, sound effects started filling the room in surround sound quality which made shivers run down Twilight’s spine. The vibrations of the bass was making her teeth clatter. It was truly amazing, and Twilight could not stop smiling as wide as the Great Wall of China.

There was a loud SWOOSH! sound as the screen raced forward into space to make it look like they were travelling at top speed through the universe. The chair Twilight sat in made a creaking sound, and before she knew it, she was being controlled by something which made her seat tip backwards into an almost laying position.

She looked around, and all of the kids around her from her school were also laying back in their reclined chairs, smiling as the effects of the space journey amazed them.

The swooshing sounds of wind got louder and louder until a large rock sprung out of nowhere.There was an abrupt whirling sound as the rock tumbled through the air. The image was so real, it made Twilight flinch, it was as if the rock was going to hit her right on the face! Many kids screamed as the images teased their mind with flying Astroids and shooting stars to jolt the children into instant entertainment.

“Whoa! look at that!”

“This is amazing!”

“It looks so real!”

Twilight was awestruck. Never had she imagined space could look so bright and interesting!

Luna chuckled through the microphone and said excitedly, “ Not enough fun for you? Lets try this now!” Suddenly, there was a powerful suction sound as the images were ripped away from the eyes of the audience and the room was filled with never ending darkness. Twilight saw many planets getting sucked into this large looking whirpool of darkness and soon realized that it was sucking her in as well.

The entire class yelled in fright as the sound got so loud, it felt almost too real. Finally, the black hole sucked them all the way in, and the sounds stopped. It was eerily quiet in the room until more sounds like they were traveling dispersed into the air.

They were traveling a lot slower now, but Twilight could tell something really big was coming. She couldn’t see anything, but she knew they were in for a big surprise.

It was as if they were in a tunnel, because a tiny light appeared in the spot above her head and slowly expanded. It was getting bigger and bigger, the light becoming brighter and brighter, until she couldnt stand to look at it. She began to squint and tried to look away, but she couldnt. Once the bright light spanned out across the whole theater, a beautiful array of colors spread through the air. August Music filled the air as the whirl of color surrounded them. The music was simply glorious, as if the heavens above were playing a symphony just for them.

The craziness of the first part of the journey was over and now they had reached the beautiful display of the entire milky way galaxy as it was shown in front of them.

The swirling spiral mass of rocks, planets, stars and the sun amazed Twilight. She didn’t know what the galaxy was at the time but she had fallen in love with it.

Could this be a real place? If it was , she wanted to go there. Forever….

The kids around her gasped in awe just as Twilight had. They were probably wondering if this was a real place as well.

As if she had read their minds, Lune spoke again for the first time in several minutes. The passion in her voice was so strong and captivating, Twilight felt like she was being put in a trance as her large purple eyes were glued to the galaxy above her.

“This children, is the Milky Way Galaxy. The galaxy in which our solar system lives in. The same Galaxy in which we are a part of. The galaxy in which the Great God has placed us in, its beautiful isn’t it?”

A hum of approval escaped the awestruck children.

“Listen all of you, I will now show you the wonders of our solar system. From the sun, to our neighboring planets and lastly, to the moon. Please, sit back and enjoy the journey through our solar system!”

As Luna’s voice filled the air with fun facts about the planets, and stars, and comets, and astroids, Twilight became more and more in love with outer space.

She wanted to go there. She now had a dream, a new hope. A hope that could only mean great things for a child who grew up with a mother like Twilights’ mother. Even this hope for her future could change her life forever. And change it did.

From that day, Twilight put all she could into becoming a scientist.

She found out that Luna had already written quite a few books at her young age. Luna was only twenty seven but a solar genius. She had excelled in her studies as a child and was offered a place in one of the best astronomic study centers. This, she turned down for an unknown reason, and was now working as a professor at the Canterlot University.

Twilight saved up money she got from her mothers special money box in the kitchen which she took from secretly. Although she was very smart about it. She would only take a little at a time every week until she had enough to purchase Luna Heliopolis’s books from the bookstore. She hid these books in her bedroom, mostly under her own bed, or in the closet.

Her mother never knew, but Twilight was rapidly becoming a genius day after day. She was only in first grade, and had learned most of the dictionary in one semester. What information was put into Twilight’s head, never was forgotten.

It was a gift. A gift that was bestowed upon her before she was born. And only because she met Luna Heliopolis, was that gift awakened and put to use.

And that was how she had become so smart in her short life of being alive. This was the most happiest memory she had of the time she was living with her mother. With that said, she would forever be grateful for that fateful day for years to come.

…………………..

“And that is why I just love that you have all of her books Celestia! I am just so excited that you read her books too! Thats one more thing we have in common because you are a scientist, and I want to be one too, so its like fate brought us together or something -uh, Celestia? Are you ok?”

While Twilight told her story of her time at the observatory, Celestia and her had headed upstairs to Twilight’s bedroom where they settled on the plushy bags on the floor.

Celestia’s expression had changed halfway through her little story into a dark, and serious one. Twilight was worried she had bored her caretaker, and started to fidget uncontrollably.

“Oh, Im so sorry, you must be tired from work, and I was just rambling on about myself I-”

Celestia eagerly snatched Twilight from her bean bag and squeezed her in her arms.

“Oh Twilight, you- you are so special to me you have no idea-” Celestia seemed to have gotten emotional about something, but what was it? All Twilight said was that she wanted to be a scientist just like Celestia. Did that really make her emotional?

Twilight tried to stay alive in the tight grasp of her caretaker but she found it quite difficult because her face was being smothered into Celestia’s chest.

“mmmf….. mrrmmmmf!!!”

Celestia gasped and released Twilight instantly. “ Agh!”

“Oh, darling i’m so sorry!”

Twilight was on her knees now, her hands fell into her lap as she looked up at Celestia.

Twilight was more than confused but at the moment, she couldnt hold back the feeling that had erupted inside of her. She bursted into laughter. Loud giggles filled the air, and Celestia looked at Twilight in confusion for a moment, but joined in on the laughter.

Twilight had noticed the tears in Celestia’s eyes and wiped them away. It was no time for being emotional. Twilight was tired of crying. She wanted Celestia to be happy, and for herself to be happy. She would do anything to make Celestia laugh like this more.This week was just the longest week of Twilight’s life and she couldn’t take the depression anymore. It felt so good to laugh like this. She had never laughed like she was now in so long, or actually, had she ever laughed like this at all?

Maybe, but she couldnt remember. Her mind was so fuzzy with elation she couldnt think at all. Celestia just said she was special. She was special! Cadence said she was special too, why was everyone calling her special all of a sudden? No one ever called her special before!

Sitting in her new room laughing with Celestia gave her more happiness than she could ever have hoped was possible. And one thing was for certain.

Twilight never wanted to lose this.

Adventures in the Kitchen

Celestia woke up in the middle of the night to and felt unbalanced.Something was off…What was it? Why was her neck hurting like crazy? And her arm?

Her eyes opened slowly and she saw the bump of indigo hair resting on her right arm. Twilight was facing her, asleep on the floor of her temporary bedroom, with nothing to keep her warm but the heat from Celestia’s body. So the child was curled up as close as she could get to Celestia, with her arms scrunched up to her chest. Celestia felt a sudden pang of discomfort, something was definetly off. Oh, yes that was it. Her arm was hurting from holding Twilight’s large purple head in the crook of her elbow. She didnt know that a head could weigh that much, and it was quite disturbing. It must be from all that information the girl learned everyday.

At any rate, Celestia could not get over how cute Twilight looked.Her tiny mouth was slightly open, her eyes shut in a peaceful slumber, and her cheeks were squished in the most adorable way. Celestia didnt want to wake her. She couldnt anyway with how pleasant it was to feel this maternal instinct crawling up in her heart. She could feel it there, the emotions only a mother felt. It was trying to make its way into her heart and she wasnt pushing it away. Whatever this little girl was doing to her was more than welcome in her lonely life.

Celestia curled up with Twilight and put her long arm in a protective hold across the girls’ side.

Celestia tried not to think of the fuzziness of the pain in which the child was unknowingly inflicting on her and remembered what had happened that night.

Celestia listened to Twilight tell her story and was astounded that Twilight actually met Luna.

The child was fascinated by her! IT was the most amazing feeling that Twilight was connected to Luna in such a huge way, that maybe there was a chance….And all those years were wasted between them because Luna didnt think anyone was interested in her….

Ugh, Celestia why! Why must you think of this now!

No, I wont let myself fall into this sad depression any longer. She made her choice. This is the best thing in which you can do for your little sister.

If only it wasnt so hard…

Celestia ignored her hearts discontent and looked at Twilight sleeping beside her. The two had fallen asleep after laughing so long they both got stomach cramps. Celestia could see the purple girls’ sorrows slowly seeping away, as her broken heart was being mended by the love and care Celestia offered. She had so much to give as it was.She missed out on so many relationships as it was because of her work. And when they fell asleep together it only felt nothing less than natural. And so calming...

A funny thought struck Celestia as she lay there, holding Twilight Sparkle in her arms. She hadnt fallen asleep on the floor in ages. That’s why her neck hurt so much. It had been such a long time since she slept with another human being that the thought was amusing to her now.

She really did sound like an old lady.

The last time she shared a room like this for a night was with….Luna. When they were kids…

Why not Celestia? Go ahead and relive this memory, it was a happy one anyway.

Without a second thought or regret to pull her back to reality, or maybe it was because her brain was sliding into unconsciousness, she let herself remember at least this one time.

………………..

“Tia!Tia! The Moon, the Sun,It’s all happening! Wake up quick!”

Celestia lifted her sleepy head and yawned. “Finally, Ive been waiting forever!”

It was dark in the small bedroom the two sisters shared. Celestia and Luna, age ten and eight were fervently watching the stars from their square window from the second story of their house.

This room had the best view of the stars, and Luna and Celestia knew that tonight was a very special night.

Celestia had accidently fallen asleep on the floor, waiting for the blood moon to emerge from the sky. Her faithful sister had stayed up for both of them and made sure to wake Celestia just in time to see the moons color change.

“They say, that only every two thousand years are the stars and planets aligned perfectly above one another for this lunar eclipse.” Celestia spoke in a whisper, not wanting to wake their parents in the room next door.

Luna looked at her older sister with excitement in her eyes. “Really?!”

Celestia chuckled and put a finger on her lips to signal to Luna about her volume level. “Yes, Lulu. This specific Lunar eclipse wont happen again for another couple thousand of years. And the last time it did, legend says a man by the name of casaer wished upon the stars that he would have ultimate power, and twenty years later, he became a king!”

Luna gave a quiet gasp. “Tia, we have to wish upon a star!”

“Ok, when the moon reaches its peak in the sky in….” Celestia looked out of the window and studied the sky for a moment, putting a hand on her chin,”id say about five more minutes, the eclipse will reach its full peak and then we’ll wish together.”

Luna was ecstatic and bounced on her knees. “This will be the best star gazing night ever, I just know my wish will come true!”

Celestia giggled at her sister who had her two front teeth missing. She was adorable in every way. “Yes, if anyones wish is coming true tonight, its yours”

Luna giggled with her sister, and hugged her. Celestia wrapped her arms around Luna in a big sister embrace, and the two watched in silence as the moon was becoming more and more red.

It truly was an amazing sight. The moon was the closest to the earth as ever. Actually, the moon was the closest it had ever been to earth in recorded history. Only because this Lunar ecplise was so rare, thats probably why the moon was so close to the earth.

The sky was bright with a thousand lights from the stars as they welcomed the blood moon.

Finally, the moon became completely full of red color, and the Lunar eclipse was almost halfway done. Celestia turned Luna so that she faced her, and held on to both of her little sisters hands.

She looked right into Luna’s large striking teal blue eyes and took a deep breath. “I wish...I could change the world when I grow up…”

Both sisters closed their eyes for a moment and waited. When nothing happened, they both giggled at their silliness of wishing upon a star.

It didnt matter if the wishes came true or not, the two sisters were having a special moment under the stars. A moment only they could share.

“I wish,” Luna spoke finally after settling down from her fit of laughter, “ That when we grow up, we can still be together like how we are now. “ Luna leaned against her older sister and put her head on her chest. Celestia kissed Lunas forehead gently and looked up at the stars.

“I hope our wishes come true…”

……………….

Well, one of those wishes came true anyway.

Celestia woke up again , but this time it was morning. The memory-dream she had the night before still swam around in her head, consuming her thoughts. The memory itself had happened over twenty years ago, but it was still so fresh in her mind, as if it had happened yesterday, that she didnt even wonder why she was lying on the carpet of Twilight Sparkle’s bedroom. She just smiled from the flashback of happy times with Luna.

Before everything changed…

The bad memories threatened to gain on Celestia and she reacted too quickly to grasp what her next actions were.

Celestia jerked her arm unintentionally and startled Twilight Sparkle awake.

The little girl gasped and her eyes shot open.

“Mommy!!!” Twilight yelled in a dazed voice, not realizing who she was sleeping next to.

Celestia brought Twilight closer to her and hastily tried to calm the little girl who had obviously been having a nightmare.

“Twilight! Twilight dear its me, its Celestia.”

Twilight squirmed until the voice she heard was recognized and she looked up at Celestia.

Her eyes were watery and swollen, and they still seemed to be half clogged with eye mucus from sleep.

Twilight put a hand on her little chest and closed her eyes again. “I - you scared me Im sorry, I-”

Celestia hushed Twilight by wiping her eyes with a sleeve from her blazer jacket.

“No dear, Im sorry that was completely my fault, I moved my arm and scared you, please forgive me.”

Twilight looked at Celestia as her heaving chest slowly calmed into a steady breathing pattern.

“How could you say that! Of course I forgive you!” Twilight squeezed her arms around Celestia’s side in an accepting way, to prove she was no longer rattled from being woken up.

Celestia was pleased and put on a soft grin.

“I have to leave to work in a couple of hours. Cadence is coming before I leave so, that gives us roughly two hours before Im gone all day.”

Twilight sighed and sat up, looking discouraged. “Well, at least its Cadence. Ill miss you though,”

Celestia was touched at how attached Twilight had become, and how she was just as equally attached to Twilight.

“Thank you dear, I will miss you too. “ She really meant it.

Twilight’s dampened spirit bounced right up into an upbeat one when she heard what Celestia said. She finally noticed that they were still laying on the ground of her new room and started to giggle.

“We fell asleep on the floor!” She cried out in a squeal of laughter.

Twilight brought her purple hand to Celestia’s and helped her up off the ground. Celestia had a bit of trouble getting up, she was as stiff as a brick! She was used to her plush mattress and baby soft sheets.

“Oh my neck…” The scientist grabbed at her neck sorely and tried to rub away the pain when her arm finally realized the misery it had endured for seven hours as well.

“My arm!” With her left hand, she vigorously massaged her right forearm and elbow, wincing as she did so. Ah, that felt better.

Twilight tilted her head to the side and peered up at Celestia. “Did I do that?”

Celestia shook her head, finally feeling the pain subside.

“No dear, I am just old.”

Twilight nodded her head in agreement, it was the most possible explanation to the little girl and she accepted it without further questioning. Celestia gave a dirty look as the purple girl rushed to the tall wooden bookcase across the bean bag area of the room.

Im not really old….

Twilight pulled out the book on facts about astroids and comets and started to read it. She looked fairly engrossed in the science book and Celestia had to try to get used to the fact that she had an eight year old in her house who could also read at teenage reading levels.

It wasnt that hard since Celestia herself had been a child prodigy. At the age of twelve Celestia was noticed by the top school for young science minds in the whole world. She was too poor to pay tuition, but landed a huge scholarship grant and was able to attend until she was eighteen.

Twilgiht was just like herself at her age.

Some time went by while Twilight dove her head into the book, and Celestia quietly watched her while trying to clean up their mess of bean bags and pillows. Celestia figured it was time to make some breakfast since she hadnt had any dinner last night.

I hope Twilight doesn’t mind what a terrible cook I am….

Twenty minutes later Celestia called Twilight down to the kitchen to eat breakfast.

She was quite proud of the dish she had made today. It wasnt as bad as usual, and it sort of smelled like pancakes anyway.

Twilight showed up in the kitchen looking charged and ready for the day. She had combed her hair and washed up just like Celestia asked her to. She was such a good little girl.

Celestia beamed proudly at Twilight and gestured towards the fully arranged table.

“Pancakes!”

Twilight stood still. Her eyes just stared at the meal in front of her as if it would come out and attack her.

“Twilight, come and eat?” Said Celestia gingerly.

Twilight fixed Celestia with an uncertain gaze and took a step towards the table.

“That’s it, come try it!” Celestia took a forkful of the delicious looking pancakes and put a piece in her mouth.

In went the food, and out it came as soon as it reached its makers’ tastebuds.

“Agh! Oh my goodness what did I just make?!”

Twilights arm flew up to her mouth to try and suppress her giggling.

Celestia ignored the laughing girl and ran to the sink to save her life. She pushed the water handle on high and slurped up as much water as she could.

That was the worst pancakes she had ever made! It cooked normally though, so why did she feel like her mouth was on fire!? She could honestly throw up, the taste was so bad.

At long last, the evil pancake taste simmered down to a mild throbbing in her mouth and she turned the running water off. She gasped for her first real breath in a good thirty seconds, and turned to face Twilight.

“Oh dear I seem to have gotten something wrong in cooking today….Twilight?”

Celestia looked around for the little girl, she was no longer standing where she was before.

Celestia made out a sound near the counter, and turned to see Twilight to her left, clearing the stove and island area of the dirty dishes.

“Ill need two clean non stick pans, a spatula, a whisk, and some flour, milk, dont forget a footstool cause I can’t reach, and not so much baking soda. Really, who uses like a whole cup of baking soda to make pancakes!”

Celestia’s mouth dropped open as she realized why the pancakes tasted so horrible.

That was baking soda? She could have sworn that was the flour! Or is flour the one that was odorless?

Oh well, at least she didn’t let Twilight take the first bite, the poor girl would have been scarred for life. Great, now Twilight knew how horrible Celestia was at cooking.

Twilight stopped for a moment and looked back at Celestia. She lifted her purple eyebrows lifted in expectation, “You didn’t know that was baking soda did you?”

Celestia stumbled to find words and just shrugged her shoulders. “I-no?”

Twilight laughed and threw her head back. “ Oh, you have so much to learn. Ok, well, back when I lived in downtown canterlot, uh, the poor side, I didn’t have much to eat. My mom never made breakfast because she either had a hangover or because she wasn’t even home in the mornings. So I learned to cook! Oh, and I had horrible cooking supplies by the way. I’m just assuming you have good ones here right?”

Celestia nodded dumbly. She couldn’t say anything , she was utterly dumbstruck.

Why did Twilight never cease to amaze her?

From when she met her on that bench in the park to a week later, she was still surprising her everyday. Celestia only just realized that Twilight was talking to her again, and she was forced to break out of her trance.

“Uh yes I have the best pans in the top cabinet, let me get those for you.”

Celestia quickly brought out her pans and spatulas. Then, she grabbed the whisk out of the appliance drawer. Celestia stared at the thing and pondered. “I was wondering what this was for anyway.”

Twilight rolled her eyes playfully and got the thing with her left hand.

“Thank you! Now, ill need some milk and flour, an egg, and some salt. Also, bring the baking soda back out. No never mind, there is so much in this measuring cup I could make toothpaste!”

Celestia frowned and played along with Twilight’s little game of teasing. “Oh please, Its not that bad!” She put her hands on her hips and pouted.

Twilight shook her finger in the air. “ No, it wasn’t that bad Celestia. You only almost surpassed the average PH alkalinity level in your body, which would have led to serious health problems due to your intake of baking soda.”

Celestia shot Twilight a look. One that said, If you weren’t so cute right now, I’d make you eat the pancakes youself!

Celestia went to her garage which was connected directly to the kitchen and found a small step stool which she almost never used. She only had it for some small things in her storage cabinets. other than that, she was so tall that nothing was out of her reach in her home.

But now she had guest who was half her size, so it was good she still kept this thing around.

She opened the door and walked back into the house. She saw Twilight peeping over the counter on her tip toes, trying to get a good look at her supplies. Celestia set the stool under beside the little girl and positioned it so it was directly in the middle of the cooking area for easy access to all the materials she needed.

Twilight smiled and hopped up on the stool. “Oh look, Im tall now!”

Celestia chuckled and made sure she was perfectly balanced before leaning up against the marble countertop, and smirked at the little chef.

“So chef, tell me what else you need.”

Twilight held a finger in the air and said with confidence,”An apron!”

Celestia didn’t miss a beat, and went to her apron drawer. She pulled out the smallest one she could find and showed Twilight.

“Let me help you tie it.”

Celestia brought the strings of the bright and colorful apron around the little girls’ waist and tied it. It was much to big for her, but Twilight beamed with joy.

“I feel like a real cook now!”

Twilight’s smile made Celestia smile as well and they both shared a moment just looking into each others eyes. She really was a beautiful girl inside and out. Twilight was smart, and very funny in a dorky but cute way.

Celestia wondered what she was thinking…...

Twilight seemed happy, but underneath that happiness there was something missing. It was as if Twilight was remembering something that made her uncomfortable.

Celestia wanted only for Twilight to be happy. She would be a bad caretaker if she didn’t do something to cheer the girl up.

“Hey, why don’t you be the chef, Ill be the co-chef, and we can play kitchen!”

Twilight’s face lit up. “Alright!”

Celestia smiled, satisfied that she brought Twilight’s spirits up.

“Ok, well , youll need an apron too,” Twilight said while taking the mixing bowl Celestia had set out for her and adding some flour into it.

Celestia grabbed an apron and tied it around her waist and tightened the strap around her neck.

Twilight had grabbed the egg and cracked it flawlessly on the side of the bowl. Celestia suddenly felt this annoying, hard feeling stuck between her teeth.She picked at it with her tongue and realized it must have been a cracked egg shell. Yes. She was very glad Twilight hadnt taken a single bite of the pancakes.

Twilight spoke excitedly from her station.” From when I walked in I could smell the burning of the pancakes. But the reason why I didnt want to even come near those horrifying stack of who knows what, I realized that the disgusting smell was mostly from the baking soda. Sorry if I seemed a little freaked out at first.”

Celestia looked at Twilight with dismay, “How could you tell, and I couldnt!”

Twilight whisked the bowl which was full of salt, sugar, baking soda, milk and eggs now with polished expertise. “It takes experience. And lots of practice. “

Celestia rolled her eyes.

“Celestia?” Twilight asked, not looking up from what she was doing. Celestia looked over and almost lost her composure. Twilight had her tongue sticking out of the side of her mouth in concentration, her nose was scrunched slightly as her tiny arms worked the batter in the mixing bowl.

Celestia smiled softly and said, “Yes?”

“Can you turn the two front burners to medium level and put the two pans on the stove to heat up?”

Celestia nodded and followed orders immediately.

“Of course, chef.”

Twilight finished mixing the bowl and took the spatula to finish the job completely.

Celestia turned on the stove and let the pans heat for a minute or two before Twilight handed her a stick of butter and said, “You’ll need to spread this around the pan for the nice buttery taste at the end . Its so scrumcious!”

“Uh, scrumcious?”

“Scrumcious!” Twilight declared, putting her arm in the air, holding up the spatula while doing so.

“Ok, ok, Ill put the butter on.” Celestia spread the butter carefully, and tried to not let it burn too much before the batter even was poured into the pan.

Thankfully she didn’t have to wait much longer for Twilight to come off of her stool, bringing the bowl of mix with her, and handed it to Celestia.

“Now, slowly pour the batter at an even rate until the liquid starts to form to the pan and make sure its not too thick.”

Celestia nodded her head and put her mind to the task.

She slowly lifted the bowl and the spatula. She began to scrape the side of the bowl while tilting it over the first pan, and success! The mix poured itself into the pan and created an even circle shape .

She felt accomplished and set down the bowl on her marble stove counter with the spatula inside.

“I did it!” She announced excitedly.

Twilight peered over the stove and looked at the pancake cooking inside the bowl.

“Perfect su chef!”

“Thank you, Chef!”

Twilight hugged Celestia suddenly, which caught her by surprise.

“Oh!”

Twilight brought her face to meet Celestia’s, her tiny neck craning just to see her.

“Thank you. My mom never did this with me….”

And again the purple child had that melancholy look in her expression which made Celestia’s heart clench in her chest.

“Twilight, I…. I know i’ve only known you for a week now but- “ Celestia sighed and breathed in deep. “How… would you like to...um, how do I say this?” Celestia chuckled nervously.

Twilight was paying deep attention to Celestia until her purple eyes shot to the side and she broke the embrace. “ Hurry, or you’ll burn the pancake!”