Morning. Celestia's sun rising slowly at dawn, awakens a 8-year-old filly from a sweet dream. She rises slowly and quietly makes her way to her parents' room. She cracks the door open slightly and squints to adjust to the darkness. As she quietly makes her way towards the bed, she nearly trips over the unoccupied bassinet next to the bed. She climbs up onto the bed and (ever so subtle...kinda) jumps up and down excitedly.
"Wake up, Mama! Wake up Daddy!" Melody Star shouts.
The male pegasus stirs and slowly opens his eyes to see a light purple filly on his legs.
"M-Melody...what time is it?..."Rain Whip asked, groggily, still trying to wake up.
"Time for career day at my school, silly!" She responded happily.
It was indeed, career day at Trottingham Elementary School. All parents/guardians were to present different careers for the students to observe and give feedback on. And today, Melody Star was bringing her stepdaddy, who was the captain of the Trottingham Weather Team to school with her, instead of her mama Moondance.
"Alright, alright. I'm up, I'm up." Rain Whip said while stretching his hooves and wings.
While that was happening, Moondance woke up and grabbed her filly into a big hug, careful so as to not disrupt her , very swollen tummy. After what felt like forever, Melody broke away from the hug so that Moondance could get up and go to get breakfast started.
10 minutes later...
"Alrighty gang! Food's on the table and lunches are packed! Let's move!" Moondance yelled upstairs. A second later, two big blurs sped into the kitchen and sat down to begin wolfing down their breakfast. When Moondance sat down though, she felt the baby kick really hard. Rain Whip noticed this and was at her side instantly.
"Hon you okay?" Rain asked, sounding extremely concerned.
Moondance nodded and spoke. "I'm good. The foal was just kicking really hard is all it was."
Mel, knowing her mama wasn't completely feeling okay because of the new baby, decided to get up and clear the table for them. Then she walked over towards her mama to give her a squeeze hug and to rub her belly. When that was all over with, Rain Whip and Melody Star gathered up their lunches and saddlebags and went off to career day. Moondance watched them take off and smiled, but in the back of her mind a little voice was telling her it's almost time.
At the school...
All the young colts and fillies gathered around the schoolhouse's classroom, chattering excitedly and ready to present their parents/guardians to the class. Melody was there, going over how she'd present her daddy. She then saw her best friend, Desert Wind, with her aunt and waved them over.
"Hey dezzy! Hi, Ms. Storm!" Melody said eagerly.
"Hi, Melly!" Desert replied equally eager.
"Are you excited to show us what your auntie does, desert?" Melody asked.
"Sure am! Are you excited to talk about your daddy, Melody?" Desert answered.
"Yep! This'll be awesome!" Melody exclaimed.
Just then, the teacher, Mr. Spectrum, teleported into the class and announced that career day could start (after getting 20 colts and fillies to calm down.) A brown and black earth colt and his mom went first, then eventually, the rest of the class followed. Then when it looked like they'd NEVER go, it was Mel and Rain's turn.
"Hello everypony, this is my stepdaddy, Rain Whip. He's the captain of the Trottingham Weather Team. His job is to help all of Trottingham get the weather on time and in the correct amounts. Right daddy?" Melody said. Rain Whip smiled and nodded, then stood up in front of the class to tell everyone more about his job. As he was going on, his special beeper kept going off, but he ignored it. By the time he was done, everypony stood and cheered respectfully. Then he had to excuse himself to the hall. Melody followed right as a office staff gave him a note. He read it, then dropped it in a panic.
"Daddy, what's wrong? Why do you look like your gonna be sick?" Mel asked ,worriedly.
"We've got to GO!!" Rain panicked.
"What-" she started, but was cut off by Rain.
"Your Mama's having the foal!" He said.
Melody just stood there for a second, the shock clear on her face. When it passed she started freaking out, but for different reasons than her daddy.
Meanwhile...back at the house (around the time the career day way well under way)
Moondance was sitting on her porch, talking and laughing with her friend, Silver Song. After 10 minutes of just enjoying the warm summer air, she felt it. The same sharp pain she felt 2 hours earlier was back, but this time it felt worse. Then a familiar sense of needing to push came over her and she knew that it was time. Silver Song saw the immediate change in her friend's mood to that of a 'bout-to-become-a-mother' like state.
"Uh-oh." Moondance said.
"What 'uh-oh'? Why'd you go 'uh-oh'? What's wrong?" Silver Song said super fast.
Moondance looked up and said that the foal was coming NOW. Silver's response was to immediately take her to the hospital, but neither of them were in any shape to fly/run to the hospital (due to Silver having sprained her hoof two days prior).
"Well...it looks' like you're getting a 'home birth', Moon." Silver Song said, semi-calm.
So, they made their way up to Moondance's bedroom (which was kinda hard because Moondance had another contraction while half-way up the flight of stairs). While Moondance was going through the Tartarus known as childbirth, Silver Song was trying to buzz Rain Whip to come A.S.A.P back home. After 5 unsuccessful attempts at contacting him she gave up and got a hold of a doctor while getting supplies. She came back with the doctor and nurse, to hear screams of bloody murder coming from the room. The doctor came in and set-up his supplies, then spoke.
"So, how are you doing, Mrs. Moondance?" The doctor asked.
Moondance yelled as another contraction hit, then spoke with venom in her tone.
*sigh* " Well as you can see, I'M IN A LIVING TARTARUS RIGHT NOW!!!! HOW DO YOU THINK I AM!!!!" She screamed as another contraction hit. Just as she got done with her rant, and Silver was calming her back down, Rain Whip burst into the room.
"Sweet, Celestia! Hon are you alright?" Rain asked panicked.
The doctor took him and Silver Song out of the room to assess the situation. While they talked, Melody Star tried to ask what was going on, as the doctor returned to the room. When she heard soft cries, she yelled.
"Excuse me....I said EXCUSE ME!" She shouted.
"What!?!" Rain and Silver said in unison.
As she was about to finish her statement, there came another sound from the room. The sound of a foal's first cries of life. The adults re-entered the room to see a most wonderful sight. There curled up in Moondance's hooves, was a tiny, newborn filly. Nopony said anything for a full minute until Rain walked up to the bed and gasped.
"I-I haven't seen anything this b-beautiful since, I saw you at the alter,babe." He said, starting to get tearry-eyed.
Moondance just smiled and shook her head, then a thought occurred to her.
"Where's my big baby? Mel, you can come in now." She said.
As if on cue, Melody Star slowly entered the room. She ran up to her mama but stopped when she saw the foal in her mama's hooves, she gasped. Seeing her do this, Moondance smiled and spoke softly.
"Mel...meet your new baby sister, Starlight Sonata." She said, smiling the entire time.
Melody asked could she hold her and her daddy helped her hold the baby right. As she looked into the sleeping filly's small face, an overwhelming sense of happiness washed over all of them. Then she spoke.
"Welcome to the world, Starlight Sonata..."
"But, Mama!!!! Why can't I go to the carnival on Friday!!??!!" Melody Star whined.
"Because, we need you here to help with Starlight's birthday party. " Moondance replied simply as she was currently, trying to figure out what kind of birthday cake to get for the party. Starlight Sonata's first birthday was that Friday and Moondance and Rain Whip were going crazy with party preparations. Melody just sighed and went over to the carrier, where her baby sister was currently, chewing on a teething ring and trying to talk (as best as an 11 month old filly can) at the same time. Melody managed to get her out of her carrier and on her hooves, so she could walk around with her.
"Okay kid...what do you say we go to the ice cream stand over there." Mel said as she pointed to a stand with a mare selling ice cream. Starlight just giggled happily and tried to take off with her wings, but couldn't (due to the fact that she's a infant.) Before they left though, Mel let her mom know where they'd be as well as asking for some bits for ice cream. To which she obliged on the condition that Mel gets something small for Starry. As the siblings got their ice cream, Melody's friend, Dessert Wind came by.
"Hey dez, how's everything?" Melody greeted her best friend.
"Mel! Do I have news for you. You'll never believe what I just saw a flyer for!" Dessert said quickly.
"Well...don't you keep us in suspense...TELL!" Melody said.
Instead, Dessert just pulled out of her mane, a flyer for a talent show on that Friday; which was Starlight's birthday!
"Oh. My. Luna! This is gre-wait. Friday as in Friday the 10th, Friday..." Melody said.
"Yeah, why is that a-OHHHH! I see, I forgot that Friday..." Dessert started
"...Is Starry's first birthday, dang! Well then I don't know what I'm gonna do." Melody finished.
They both looked down at the (very messy) toddler as Dessert hoofed her some tissues to clean her off with. Then the girls, along with Moondance, headed out of the market and back towards Melody's house.
15 minutes later, back at the house...
Melody and Dessert quickly ran up to Mel and Star's room to try and figure out what to do about Friday. As they paced the room, Melody's auntie, Silver Song, came to check on them.
"Hey girls' how are y'all doing?" Silver asked kindly.
The girls just glanced up from their pacing to look up at her and respond in an automatic tone. Unfortunately, Silver saw through the little mask of deceit and came in fully to talk.
"Okay, drop the act you two." Silver calmly stated.
"Uuuuhhhh....what act, auntie Silver..." Melody asked nervously.
"The obvious 'trying-to-not-make-it-seem-like-there's-something-wrong' act." Silver Song laughed.
Dessert Wind sighed as Melody Star face-hoofed, and they began to explain their carnival/talent show problem.
"Well...it looks like you two fillies have a problem and a solution on your hooves." Silver said, with a tinge of wisdom in her tone.
"...Huh..." they said in unison.
Silver Song just laughed and looked at the flyer, then back at them and then smiled.
"Here's what I'm thinking girls. If Starlight's party starts at one 'o clock and ends at four 'o clock, that's three hours and the talent show's at seven. So, if you two want to try and persuade your parents to let you perform, and I know you two are already signed up, before you ask, I walked through the carnival this morning and saw Dessert Wind sign both of you up by the stage. Then I will certainly be one of the loudest ponies cheering for you out there." Silver Song explained.
Both fillies just looked at her and, after hearing her plan out how they could do this, nodded furiously in excitement.
2 days later...the day of the party...and the talent show
"Okay...if I stay real quiet, maybe I'll make it on ti-" Melody started.
"Waaaaaaahhhh!!!!!" Starlight started to cry and fuss, after waking up from her nap too soon. She fell asleep not long after her birthday party was done and she had a good time, so Melody Star was a little upset that she woke up, but not too upset to not help her.
"...Hold on Starry, big sisters' here...shhhh! it's ok..." Melody started to calm her down.'hmmm...I wonder if that lullabye that mama would sing to her would help... Mel thought to her self.
"Okay...now how did it go again.....Oh! yeah, now I remember..." Melody said before singing.
Stars and moons and air balloons. fluffy clouds to the horizon.
I'll wrap you in rainbows. and rock you to sleep again.
teddy bears of pink. ducks and lambs of white.
don't you cry dear, I'm here now. I'll be your nightlight.
As Melody sang, Starlight started to drift off, soon she was asleep. She then placed Starlight back in her crib, closed the door, and took off towards the town square.
Two hours, Fifty-five minutes later, at the talent show...
"Melody! I CAN'T DO IT!!!" Dessert Wind freaked out backstage.
Melody Star knew exactly what her friend meant, but there was no backing out now. So,she took a deep breath and talked.
"Dez. Listen, ok I know you're nervous, I am too, but we can't let it creep on us right now. The whole town's out there and what do you expect they're gonna see when we walk on stage?" Melody said/asked.
"Two blank-flank fillies with nothing but a guitar and a microphone-" Dessert started.
"-That are gonna ROCK the whole town apart with their skills! Do you hear me!?!" Melody yelled.
"Yeah! You're right, Mel! We're gonna kill it out there...but...I'm still nervous..." Dessert said.
Melody just smiled and reassured her friend before they were called out on to stage. They got in position and Dessert Wind began to play her guitar, while Melody Star sang.
I can almost see it,
The dream I'm dreamin'
But there's a voice inside my head sayin'
You'll never reach it
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep tryin'
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a up-hill battle
Sometimes were gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes it might knock me down
But, No, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember Most, yeah
Just gotta keep goin'
And, I, I got to be Strong
Just Keep pushing, on
'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
Were always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a up-hill battle
Sometimes were gonna have to loose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's The Climb
Yeah
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an up-hill battle
Sometimes were gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
Keep on movin'
Keep climbin'
Keep the faith baby
It's all about
It's all about
The climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith woah...
When they were finally done, the whole crowd gave a fierce round of applause. After many different acts and a slightly disappointing 2nd place, the two pegasus fillies were super happy to see how they did. When they went up to their families they were all smiles.
"Mama! Daddy! Starlight! Did ya see it? It was awesome!" Melody said excitedly.
"Which one, the performance, or your Cutie-mark, hon?" Moondance replied.
"My performance, duh! 'sides I don't even...have...my..."Melody started but couldn't finish because she looked down at her flanks and sure enough, a bright yellow star surrounded by music notes was there instead of bare flank.
"M-My CUTIE-MARK!" Both girls cried out happily, while Melody's was a star with music notes, Dessert Wind's was a guitar with wings on both sides. And both girls couldn't have been happier.
"Look, Starlight! I got my cutie-mark!" Melody Star told her sister.
"M-m-m-Meowdee!"Starlight Sonata said excited, to everypony's shock.
"Did- did she just say-" Rain Whip started.
"Meowdee tar!!!" Starlight Sonata said again.
"She said it! She said her first words....I'm her first words!" Melody Star yelled happily.
Everypony gathered around the three fillies as they now, from that day forward, faced a bright future before them...and couldn't wait to see what comes....
The End
