Author's Note

Hey everycreature!

So before we get to the next chapter, I did forget to mention that I am using some inspiration from the Fiendship is Magic Issue #1, which is about Sombra's origins, as well as the Siege of the Crystal Empire story arc from the main Friendship is Magic comic line, both of which I love and really adds to Sombra's story, so much that I wish they could have used some aspects from them to the show... Oh well!

Anyway, enjoy!

To the Best Sister

The next day came and after a goodnight's sleep or well as good as she could, Precious woke up slowly, opening her eyes as she looked towards Flurry's bed, expecting to see her sister there as she was last night. Precious remembered last night, Flurry stayed besides her until she fell asleep, making sure she had the company and wasn't scared of being alone. Precious wondered where Flurry went and was about to get out of bed herself and look for her sister, but then the door opened and Flurry trotted in, holding onto a small tray with her magic which had a small bowl of what looked like soup, steam rising from the bowl. As Flurry came in, she saw her sister start to get out of bed.

"Sis, don't move, you need to rest." Flurry said as she made sure Precious got back in her bed. "Sorry if I made you worried, I didn't want to wake you."

"That's okay big sister, what did you bring? Precious asked as Flurry brought the tray onto the bedside next to her sister's head.

"Well, I went to the kitchen and the royal chefs suggested a nice hot bowl of turnip soup to help make you feel better." Flurry smiled as she helped her sister take a spoonful.

"Delicious, thanks sis." Precious smiled as Flurry smiled back.

"So, how are you feeling?" Flurry asked.

"Better, still a little sore and my head hurts a little, but I'm fine." Precious answered truthfully.

"Well, that's good to hear, because I'm going to be staying with you all day and until you get better and out of bed." Flurry stating.

"But, I don't want to hold you back sis, plus doesn't mom and dad need you?" Precious asked as the royal family needed their young upcoming princess.

"Mom and dad can manage without me for a few days, they have done so plenty of times before." Flurry reassured her sister. "Right now, my sister needs me to look after her." Flurry not giving in.

"I love you sis." Precious shed a tear.

"Love you too little sis." Flurry said as she got held another spoonful of soup. "Now you better finish this bowl before it gets cold."

As Flurry made sure Precious got another spoonful of hot soup, unknown to the two sisters, Cadance and Shining Armor were looking in through the slightly open door, watching as Flurry took care of her little sister.

"I hope this is the last time something like this happens..." Shining Armor spoke quietly as Cadance softly closed the door.

"I hope you're right honey, because I'm starting to think things may get worse..." Cadance sighing as she feared what the future laid ahead, she just hoped they could pull through it together as a family.

A few months passed and well Precious, after a few days after the incident regarding the Crystal Heart, was back to normal, Flurry staying by her sister's side most of the time, making sure her sister got the necessary comfort and treatment to get well. And soon enough, Precious, after putting aside her fears, was brave enough to go outside once more and enjoy the fresh air, although, with Flurry's understanding, she stayed away from the Crystal Heart, not wanting to experience what she did that put her in her condition. Which Cadance and Shining Armor were thankful that Precious would do so, not wanting her to go through such a thing for her sake.

And well today, a few months after Precious was back to normal, it was a special day for her as today was Precious Heart's birthday, the family all together celebrating the little filly's day. Today wasn't actually Precious' real birthday, but she didn't know her real one, so Cadance and Shining Armor just made the day they took her in, her birthday. Her first birthday, well Precious was rather confused at first, not knowing what to do and why it was happening, but by the end of the day she grew to really like it and then her second birthday was great, with Precious getting the hang of it. And today was the third birthday of the little filly since she lived in the Crystal Empire.

The family was currently in the dining room, a cake that was specially ordered by Cadance to the royal chefs, placed in front of where the little filly was sitting down, a party hat on her head as the rest of the family had the same. With Shining Armor lighting up the candles with his magic, he held onto a camera as he took a few pictures of his daughter, as well as Flurry and Cadance, who were on either side of the seated filly.

"Okay, everypony smile!" Shining Armor said as he took a few pictures of his three girls of his own family before putting down the camera.

"Okay sweetie, remember, while you blow out the candles, make a wish." Cadance told her younger daughter as Precious nodded her head before taking a deep breath as she blew out the candles one by one. "Good job sweetie." Cadance smiled.

"So, what did you wish for?" Flurry asking.

"Oh come on sis, you know I can't tell you." Precious reminding her older sister.

"Well I thought I could trick you a second time..." Flurry expressing her slight disappointment.

"Nice try sweetie, but you know your sister is as smart as you." Shining Armor chuckling as he cut the cake into slices and putting them on plates as Cadance passed them out, first to Precious since it was her birthday, then Flurry, before herself and lastly Shining Armor.

After the family enjoyed the delicious cake, which was a nice chocolate layered cake, Precious' favorite, from the chefs, it was time for the presents for the little birthday filly. First Shining Armor, who gave his daughter a pretend guard's helmet made from plastic, not the real metal the guards wear, so she could have something more to play with, with Flurry, plus Precious did talk about how she thought the uniforms the guards looked to be very cool.

"Thanks dad, I love it." Precious smiled as she wore the helmet, which was a little big for her, nearly covering her eyes. "How do I look?"

"Good sweetie, in fact I say in no time you could join your daddy in patrols around the kingdom." Shining Armor chuckled while Cadance rolled her eyes and gently took off the play helmet from her daughter's head so she could receive her gift.

"And I know you have been asking for awhile from me now sweetie, and well I think it's about time you started learning." Cadance said as she gave Precious a wrapped package, which the little filly tore open to find a book about simple spells for little unicorn fillies to perform, Precious, being a unicorn, has been asking to start learning how to use her magic properly. "I'm sure Sunburst and your sister can help you learn as well, but if you ever want to try something on your own, this should help."

"Thanks mom, I'll be sure to use it." Precious smiled as she accepted the gift.

Now the only family member present left was Flurry as she came up to give her gift to her little sister, smiling as Flurry gave Precious a little wrapped box, as Precious tore open the wrapping, she then took the lid off the small box to find a small bracelet to put around her hoof with a heart shaped charm that could open up. Precious was rather surprised her sister managed to get this...

"I spent the last weeks getting it personally made by the jewelry shop owner in the Empire and since well I'm the daughter to the royal couple, it was a top order and special attention was paid to it." Flurry answering her sister's unspoken question. "Good ahead, open it up." Flurry urged her sister to see what was inside as there was more.

So Precious opened it up and the first thing she saw was a small picture of her and Flurry together, Flurry having her hoof over her sister lovingly. On the other side of the charm was a small engraved message, which read... "To the Best Sister, who I love with all my heart." Precious had a couple tears start to shed as this was by far the best gift she ever received from anyone.

"Thanks sis, I love it so much, I'm going to keep it forever." Precious coming froward and giving her big sister a hug.

"You're welcome sis." Flurry replied as she hugged her sister back, Precious slipping on the bracelet, which was a little loose, but she would grow into it. "Yeah, sorry about that, it was the smallest size chain the shop owner had at the time."

After Flurry gave her gift, Cadance and Shining got the rest of Precious' birthday gifts, from her adopted family who lived outside the kingdom, which Precious loved each and every single one of them, but not one came close to the gift Flurry got for her. After the gift giving to the little filly, the family decided to take a trot around on the streets, to enjoy the bright day as a family and as the sun began to disappear over the horizon, the moon rising up in the sky, it was time for the family to head on back and have a good night's sleep. As Shining Armor made sure Flurry was comfortable in her bed, Cadance tucked in Precious.

"Did you have a good birthday today sweetie?" Cadance asked.

"Yes mommy, I just wish my first daddy could be here today to wish me a happy birthday." Precious admitting as Cadance tried her hardest not to think of Sombra.

"Well, wherever he is, I'm sure he's happy for you." Cadance smiling her best.

"Thanks mommy, goodnight." Precious yawned and began to close her eyes.

"Goodnight, my little Precious Heart." Cadance saying as she gave her adopted daughter a kiss on her forehead before joining Shining Armor, who was waiting for his wife at the bedroom door, as Cadance joined her husband, they softly closed the door to the bedroom, ending Precious' birthday.