What Creates Empathy

Limelight's POV.
I woke up to a soft breeze tickling my locks across my muzzle. A gentle smile grew on my face. Last night was one of the best experiences in my life. A bit rough, but still the best. I don't remember much from the night.

I turned myself around to see Stephanite, but I found that I was all alone with the crystal tree. Did Stephanite leave? Was this just a one night stand for him? Or did he leave early because of his duties at his family's rock farm?

Either way, the sun was shining through the trees of the forest, indicating that it was morning, and I need to get back to the farm.

I struggled to get back to my hooves, the best to my ability, but something about me felt heavy. Like I've gained a few pounds, or something. Did I forget my mango milkshake yesterday? No, I don't believe so.

Curious, I looked myself over. To my surprise, my stomach had a small bump. I stroked it and it glowed violet in response. I'm not sure how, but I think something was inside me. A Parasprite? No, it's a bit too big to be a Parasprite.

In a panic, I got myself dressed and followed the path out of the forest, back home to Sweet Apple Acres.

My brother, Bright Mac, saw me running down the field. I threw my arms around him. Bright Mac hugged me back and noticed my shaking.

"Lil Sis, what's wrong?" He asked me, "Yer sweating bucket and trembling worse than sugarcane during first frost.

I pried myself from him, "You remember my coltfriend, Stephanite?" He nodded, "He's gone and I think I made the biggest mistake of my life."

"Whadyah mean?" He asked, tilting his head in confusion.

Embarrassed and ashamed, I lifted my shirt to show my big brother the bump in my stomach. Curious, Bright Mac placed his hand over it and leaned his ear close to it. I felt the thing move and kick into Bright Mac's hand.

Bright Mac's eyes widened, "This is not possible. You're a virgin, and yet it's solid as if you've had it for a few weeks."

"What? What's wrong with me?" I asked, starting to feel the anxiety of panic rising again.

"Limelight Suki Ginger, you're pregnant." He told me.

Shock, panic, disbelief and complete regret filled me to my very core. Pregnant? But, I only had sex last night, and I'm already growing a baby inside me? How is this possible? Why me? What am I gonna do with it?

Bright Mac put his hands over mine and looked at me dead in the eyes, "Calm down, Lil Sis. We'll get to the bottom of this, alright?"

I took a breath and nodded, "Where do we start?"

"Ah believe we go to Stephanite's home 'n' get some answers." He answered, then asked me, "Do ya know anythin' about him, other than his name?"

I rubbed my chin in thought, "He said his family owns a rock farm just outside of Canterlot. His brother, Igneous Rock Pie, must know where Stephanite is now."

Bright Mac clapped his hands with a smile, "Great. We'll start there."

With that, Granny Smith, Bright Mac and I took the train to the Rock Farm.

The farm was much like the rest of Equestria, which was green and full of magical life. The Rock Farm looked similar to Sweet Apple Acres, but the place was very grey and gloomy. Rocks of all shapes and sizes covered the land. Instead of a large, colorful house and a matching barn, the house was small and the barn was tall and small. Very much the opposite of the Apple Farm.

Exiting the house was a family of a tall Earth Pony stallion, an Earth Pony mare and two young Earth Pony fillies.

The stallion stood about a few inches shorter than my brother, which was about 5 foot 11 inches. His fur coat was a golden amber color with a grey-ish white blaze, socks and underbelly. His hooves were a dark brown color. Eyes are a light amber color. And his dark grey and light grey striped mane was short and spiky with mutton chops and a matching tail.

He wore a white colored shirt under a black vest and dark beige pants. He bared his Cutie Mark Patch of a pickaxe on the left hip of his vest.

The mare was the same height as me. Her fur coat was a light grey-ish blue with light blue socks and underbelly. Dark blue hooves. Dark blue-ish grey mane tied in a bun, matching flowing tail. Her eyes were a light blue color.

She wore a Victorian dress with a white apron. A pair of spectacles hanging from her muzzle and connected to a chain around her neck. And a black collar with an opal pendant.

The fillies were very different from each other. The eldest filly was looking at my family with a protective glare. And the second filly was too deadpan. Like she's never experienced emotions before.

"Welcome to our abode." The stallion greeted with a bow, "I am called Igneous Rock Pie, son of Feldspar Granite Pie."

The mare nodded and bowed with her husband, "Thou shalt know me as Cloudy Quartz."

"May Providence favor thee well, and to thou comfort our humble homestead bring." Igneous finished with a kiss to my hand. Such a gentlecolt...

Mama Smith was having trouble understanding, "Y'all gabbin' with words real funny-like." She tilted her head and cleaned her ear, "Wh-wh-what'd you say them names were? 'Iggy'?" Then she smiled at Cloudy Quartz, "And I'm just gonna call you 'Big Mama Q'!"

Igneous and Cloudy looked at each other in uncertainty.

"Please, forgive our Ma." Bright Mac apologised, "We're actually here to ask yah a few questions."

"Of course." Igneous smiled, "Please, ask away."

"Are familiar with the name 'Stephanite Heliodor Pie'?" I asked.

Igneous' smile quickly and his eyes widened. His face turned forlorn, Cloudy Quartz looked at her husband in concern.

"There was a stallion under that name." Igneous answered, "He was my younger brother."

"Was?" Mama Smith repeated with a tilted head.

"Stephanite died when we were just colts." Igneous explained sadly, "He saved me one day, pushing me out of the way when Holder's Boulder fell from its nesting place."

"Stephanite Heliodor Pie was not his real name." Cloudy continued, when Igneous held back tears.

"What was his name?" I asked softly.

"Stephanite Howlite Pie." She answered.

My eyes widened in disbelief and I was lost for words. I was tricked by someone else? But, he felt so real and real charming. If this Stephanite was dead since he was a colt, then who's the father of the baby that's growing inside me?