The Elements of Sisterhood

~Narrator's POV~

It was a normal summer day in Alberta, Canada. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining brightly and there was a warm breeze in the air. My sister and I were were just returning home from spending the day at the shopping mall. Like every other year, my younger sister and I would spend the day together on our joined birthdays. We were born one year and two weeks apart, so it's only fair we celebrate our birthdays on the day that is smack in the middle.

My younger sister parked the blue SUV within the house's parking parking spot and we got out of the car. My sister had this big smile on her face, she usually has that smile when something exciting is about to happen. Does she know something I don't?

I reached for the door handle and opened the front door to the house...

"SURPRISE!"

Most of our family was in the living room. Each with a happy smile on his/her face. There was a large banner, above the fireplace. It read, 'Happy Birthday Girls!' in large multi-colored letters.

Sam, my younger sister, gasped and her smile grew wider. I was shocked and surprised beyond reaction. Our mother and step-father were present. Our step-grandmother and step-aunt and step-uncle. Even our step-cousins came to pay us a visit. This surprise was beyond anything I ever imagined.

With the surprise calmed down and the emotional build up calmed, the birthday party began. Everyone grabbed a glass of chardonnay, while I just had a couple of cans of Coca Cola. Each of the family members gave me and Sam their present. I got a CD player and writing supplies, while Sam got sketchpads and art supplies. She was always the artsy one out of the two of us, while I've been trying to become a writer.

With the presents done, it was time for the cake. The cake was a large, round red velvet cake with white vanilla icing and a picture of me and Sam when we were younger. Without a doubt Mum got this cake from Edible Elegance, a very popular cake shop and café from Lethbridge. Sam and I had eight candles each to blow out. Our step-father, Steve, lit up the candles and everyone sang 'happy birthday'.

Sam closed her eyes tightly and blew out her half of the candles. I closed my eyes and wished for a good and happy life and that my family have a good time at this birthday party. I blew out the rest of the candles and everyone cheered. Everyone had a slice of the cake and enjoyed themselves. The cake was fluffy and delicious. The party went on until it was nightfall and Sam and I were getting quite sleepy how late it was getting.

Everyone left the house, wishing Sam and I a final happy birthday, and returned to their cars. Mum closed the front door and locked it, "Okay, you two. You've had a long day. It's time to go to bed."

Sam and I nodded and walked up the stairs to our bedroom to hit the hay and prepare for the next day. Two and a half hours passed and the strong smell of smoke entered my nostrils, waking me up from a light sleep.

I opened my eyes and saw smoke sneaking into our bedroom. I quickly put my glasses on, leaped out of bed and ran to the source of the smoke. The living room was in flames. I panicked, ran back to my bedroom to wake Sam up, and ran across the hallway to wake my mother and step-father. The door was closed, so I banged on the door and tried to shout, but the smoke was entering my lungs and burned my throat.

The door opened to reveal my mother. She rubbed her eyes and looked at me, "What's wrong? It's 1 in the morning." I grabbed her hand and lead Mum to the stairs. She saw the growing and burning flames, "Oh, shit!"

Mum woke Steve up and called 9-1-1, but they informed that they will arrive in 15 minutes. That was only enough time to get one thing and get out of the house.

Mum grabbed her tablet and her cell phone. Steve didn't know what to grab first. I got my writing supplies and laptop computer. We ran to the entrance of the house, unfortunately the fire has spread toward the kitchen and the stairs and was growing in size. We managed to avoid the flames and unlocked the front door. We arrived outside and waiting for the fire department to arrive.

I gasped, as I realized a certain someone was still asleep in her bedroom; Sam! I put my things down and charged into the building once again, despite Mum and Steve's calls to stay where I was. The flames were burning bigger and getting worse. I held my breath and ran up the stairs to our bedroom. I opened the door and to find Sam awake and frozen in a state of panic. I walked up to her and grabbed her hands. Sam looked at me and seemed to have calmed down as she stared into my eyes.

Slow and steady, I lead Sam out of the bedroom and around the flames. It was hot and suffocating, but I had to get my sister out of the flames and into safety. I didn't care what would happen to me.

Once we were close to the front door, my leg got caught on something. I tried to wiggle myself free, but it was to no avail. I looked at the flames and noticed they were getting more intense and violent. Something was going to blow. I looked at my sister and pushed her out the door.

Sam turned and was about to re-enter the burning house, until...

~KA-BOOOOM!!!!~

The next thing I remember was darkness, then I opened my eyes to find myself in a place full of stars and magic, but I wasn't alone. Looking over videos was a tall equine creature with a long horn and large wings. I recognized this creature to be an Alicorn. Her fur was a pale pink, almost white color. Her flowing mane and tail were pastel-toned, mostly blue, pink and green. Her eyes were a light magenta and she had a marking of a sun on her flanks. She wore a gold crown over her head and a gold necklace around her neck with an amethyst in the center. Upon her hooves were gold shoes.

As I got closer to the Alicorn, I noticed the videos she was watching were videos of my selfless and honest good deeds. Wait... Does that mean I'm dead? Is this Alicorn the Grim Reaper, come to take my soul to the afterlife?

As if she could read my mind, the Alicorn giggled, "Do not fret, young one. I'm not here to take your soul." The videos vanished and the Alicorn turned to me, "I've seen your past and I see compassion, sincerity and love in your life. You gave up your life to save someone else's." She smiled, "And for that, I'm here to grant you a second chance at life."

"Uh... Thanks." I finally found my voice, but I raised a brow, "But what's the catch?"

"No catch." She assured, "Just that you spend the rest of your years in Equestria, with the Ponies."

I was about to argue, but that doesn't sound like a bad deal. Rebirth as a Pony in Equestria. I've loved the franchise of My Little Pony since I was a little girl, and have always dreamed of living in a world like theirs. This is a dream come true.

I smiled at the Alicorn and nodded, "I accept your offer."

"Very good." She smiled.

Then she lit up her horn in a golden yellow aura and tapped my forehead with her horn and then everything went white...

"Snowflake? You alright? Wake up, sweet pea."

I opened my eyes and let out a small moan. I looked over to see a Pegasus stallion, wearing a light blue sweater, with pale green fur, pale pink, almost white, mane, mustache and tail and light turquoise eyes. He had a warm smile on his face.

I yawned and stretched my forelegs and smiled, "Morning, Dad. What's up?"

"You remember that application that we sent to Canterlot?" He asked me. I groggily nodded. "Well... You've been accepted."

"What?!" I exclaimed, but lost my balance and fell out of my bed. I picked myself up and turned to my father, "You serious?"

Dad nodded, "Yes. Princess Celestia has chosen you to be one of her student's study partner!"

An excited smile grew on my face, "No fooling?! That's awesome!" Then I frowned, "But what about Fluttershy and Zephyr? What about you and Mum? I'll be away for a very long time."

"We'll be fine, Lil' Snow." Dad assured me, "Fluttershy and Zephyr will be at Flight Academy soon. We want you to achieve your dreams too." He smiled, "You're extremely gifted with magic, and this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Take it, Lil' Snow."

I smiled and hugged my father tightly, then started packing my things, getting ready to travel to Canterlot and meet the Ponies I'm gonna be studying magic with. Maybe things are looking up for this family.

The next morning, Mum, Dad, Fluttershy, Zephyr Breeze and I arrived at the train station. While waiting for the train, Mum and Dad made sure that I had everything for the trip to Canterlot. The train arrived and it was time to leave. I gave my family one final group hug and then hopped on the train.

Once I arrived at the Canterlot platform, I was greeted by Princess Celestia and a young Unicorn filly with amber fur and red and yellow mane and tail. Her eyes were cyan and she had a Cutie Mark of a yin-yang style shimmering sun.

Princess Celestia introduced the filly as Sunset Shimmer. I politely introduced myself to her, but Sunset Shimmer refused to shake my hoof. With that, Princess Celestia, Sunset Shimmer and I exit the platform and made our way to Canterlot Castle. I was giddy with excitement about the many lessons I'll be taking with Sunset Shimmer.

This is gonna be awesome!