Starsong The Best Foalsitterby Creativa-Artly01ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 2Chapter 1It’s a bright sunny day in the Crystal Empire when Sunburst and Starlight get a knock at their door. “I’ll get it!” Hollers Sunburst as he runs to the door and opens it with his magic. Standing there is a cream coated unicorn with light cream socks and a blue and orange mane and tail with Star earrings dangling from her ears and a matching necklace dangling around her neck. “Oh, hey cuz,” says Sunburst. “Please do come in.” Starsong nods and comes inside. A few hours later, Sunset arrives with her filly in tow. Starlight soon comes out with her filly and joins Everypony else in the main room. The two mares put the two fillies on the floor. The adults begin talking. “How’s your father Sunspot after his accident?” Inquires Sunburst. “He’s on constant bed rest but he’ll be fine eventually,” responds Starsong. “He’s a stubborn stallion.” Starsong gets down on the floor and begins playing with Morning Glory and Sunrise as the fillies giggle. She shakes a rattle with her magic and the fillies soon grab it from her with theirs. A few minutes later, Sunburst pipes up. “Do you mind foalsitting for a little bit?” He inquires. “We are required to be at the Crystal Empire Ball by the Princess.” “Sure, would love to, cuz,” says Starsong to Sunburst. Sunburst, Sunset, and Starlight head to the rooms at the back of the house and get ready. Sunburst gets into an elegant light blue suit leaning on the more turquoise side of blue and adjusts his glasses and straightens his goatee. Starlight puts on an elegant silver dress with a purple sash while Sunset puts on a glittering teal one with floral accents. The three then head out the door after giving Starsong instructions on how to care for the fillies. Starsong nods and wishes them well. She then reads the instructions. First thing written down there is feed the fillies which she does with no issue. She then puts them down for a nap after burping them just as stated in the note. After awhile, the fillies wake up from their naps and she plays with them with their toys for a little bit and even lets them play with her necklace with some close monitoring of course. “This is a breeze,” says the mare with a smile. “I don’t know what Sunburst was so worried about.” She lets out a sigh. “I am definitely best foalsitter.” She takes the necklace and levitates it onto a shelf with her magic and goes back to letting the fillies play with their toys. Sunrise makes a stuffed bunny dance with her magic while Morning Glory uses it to make her teddy bear do the same. The fillies giggle as they play with their toys. Starsong watches on with a smile and even joins in one the fun using her magic to make Morning Glory’s stuffed puppy toy do the same which makes the fillies giggle with joy. After a few hours, the fillies finally tucker out and she puts them down for the night. “Easy peasy,” she sighs. She goes to the kitchen and makes herself some dinner and sits down and eats it as she projects a movie up on the wall using her magic. “Easy peasy.” Meanwhile at the Crystal Empire Ball, everypony dances gliding across the floor as Sunset watches from the corner where she is soon spotted by Twilight. “Hey Sunset,” says the princess as she trots towards her friend. “Oh hey, Twilight,” says Sunset as she embraces her friend in a hug, “it’s good to see you.” “Yeah, you too,” responds Twilight, “I’m surprised you came.” “Well I’m not surprised that you did, you and your brother are best friends,” giggles Sunset. “Fair,” Twilight giggles back. “You and Sunburst could be that close as siblings too, ya know.” “Yeah, but we’re not like that, not like you and Shining, but we’re learning to be close again,” sighs Sunset as she gives Twilight a look. “Honestly, I don’t think he’s quite over me up and leaving him and mom all those years ago.” “Well, that’s going to take a little time, you know that,” responds Twilight as she puts her hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Give it time, give him a little time. I have to go. It was good to see you.” “Yeah, you too,” responds Sunset with a smile. Twilight heads over to where Cadence and Shining are standing and butts in to share a dance with her big brother. The two giggle, chat, and smile as they dance. “I’m glad you could make it, little sis,” says Shining with a smile, “I know how busy ruling Canterlot is keeping you, how busy ruling Equestria is keeping you.” “Well, it’s not so bad,” responds Twilight, “it’s more a hassle for me and Flash to keep up with the foals, especially the older two. The youngest is so shy she just hides behind her daddy’s hind legs all the time.” She giggles. “They’re all absolute precious angels though. Heck, your nephew is a spitting image of you.” “Yeah, how are my nieces and nephew?” Says Shining. “Like I said, they’re doing well,” responds Twilight. “Y’all need to come visit sometime. Stardust, Gilded Shield, and Sunglow really would like to see their aunt, uncle, and cousin. Where is Flurry by the way? I haven’t seen her all night.” “She has a new coltfriend she’s been hanging out with, Spearhead’s boy,” responds Shining. “Well, good for her!” Responds Twilight. “I can’t wait to meet him!” A few minutes later, Flurry Heart and Spearhead’s son trot into the room and over towards Cadence and the siblings. “Hey mom, hey dad, hey auntie Twi!” Says Flurry as she embraces them in a hug. She then lets go. “Oh, I almost forgot,” says Flurry blushing, “this is my coltfriend, Tip.” “Hey, nice to meet ya, Princess,” he says towards Twilight as he picks up her hoof and kisses it after bowing at her. Twilight looks strangely at the stallion before shaking her head. He gets back on his hooves. “It was good to meet you, too,” responds Twilight. She turns to her brother. “Nice kid.” She turns back towards her niece. “I’m happy for you, Flurry. Congratulations.” “Thanks auntie!” Says Flurry as she embraces her aunt in a hug. “I’m glad you like him!” The two trot off leaving Twilight, Shining, and Cadence to get back to their conversation. “So, what do you think of Tip?” Inquires Shining. “He’s a nice colt, don’t you think?” “Very much so, I like him even if he took me a little aback at first,” responds Twilight, “and I’m happy for Flurry. They’re honestly perfect for each other.” A few minutes later, the three are approached by Sunburst, Starlight, and Sunset. “Are you guys heading out?” Inquires Twilight. “Yeah, can’t leave the fillies under our cousin Starsong’s care all night, I’m sure she’s exhausted,” says Sunburst. The three give their friends some goodbye hugs and head out of the palace and home. A few minutes later, they arrive home and go inside where they find Starsong passed out on the couch. They smile as Sunburst uses his magic to pull a blanket over the worn out mare. Sunburst, Starlight, and Sunset then go and check on the fillies who are fast asleep in the crib in Sunburst and Starlight’s room. The three then turn in for the night themselves. Sunburst and Starlight get into their bed and Sunset retreats to the only guest room in the house. It’s been a long night for everypony and it’s about time they all got some sleep. Chapter 3A few days later, a letter arrives at the Sunburst house for Starsong. It’s from her mom. “Dear baby girl,” she reads, “I hate to inform you, but your father passed away last night. We need you home. The funeral is Saturday. Tell the rest of the family to come along too, Sunburst and Sunset need to be there as does their mother.” Starsong goes off and tells Sunburst and Sunset the bad news. She soon finds them in the kitchen. “Sunburst, Sunset,” says Starsong in tears. “What’s wrong?” Asks Sunburst as he turns around. She runs into his hooves. “Dad,” sniffles Starsong, “he died last night. We are all required at the funeral this weekend.” “Okay, I’ll let Cadence know I can’t come into work,” says Sunburst. He promptly sends a letter to the palace. “There, done.” He then heads off to pack followed by Sunset. Starlight follows suit. She can’t help but be confused though. “Honey, what’s wrong?” Asks Starlight as she grabs her husband’s hoof. “My big brother just died, we’re heading to the funeral,” responds Sunburst. At this, Starlight shuts up and finishes her packing. She then packs for the fillies as does Sunset. That same noon, they’re on the first train to the Hollow. Once there, they pick up Stellar Flare who is awaiting them with her bags. Once she’s on board, the train pulls out of the station and heads up to Horseshoe Head where Sunspot and his wife live. All the way there, Starsong can’t help but think about her poor mom and how she’s fairing. At the same time, she can barely hold herself together. Seeing this, Sunburst and Sunset head over to comfort the crying mare. “Hey Starsong,” says Sunburst and Sunset as they take Starsong in their arms. “How are you holding up?” “Honestly, not well,” sniffles Starsong. “I was always a daddy’s girl and now he’s gone.” She continues to cry. “I don’t know what to do now that he’s gone.” A few hours later, they finally arrive at Horseshoe Head in the Crystal Canyon. There, they are greeted at the door by Sunspot’s wife Misty Glow. She’s in tears. Seeing this, Starsong rushes into her mother’s arms. Misty embraces her daughter in a hug. She then leads them all inside. She then closes the door behind them. “I’m so glad you all are here,” sighs Misty still in tears, “it was so sudden, his passing.” “What happened?” Says Stellar Flare as she takes Misty’s head on her hoof. “Please tell us. Tell me.” “Okay,” she sighs, “he became sick for the first time a few months ago and it just got worse from there since there’s no doctors out here, not really. We couldn’t get him the help he needed. We’re so sorry.” “It’s okay, it’s not your fault, but y’all should’ve stayed in the city,” sighs Stellar Flare, “then he could’ve gotten help.” “I know, I know,” cries Misty, “and I regret leaving everyday. Don’t think I don’t.” She stares out the window. “I regret it everyday.” “Brother was a good stallion, he’ll be missed,” says Sunburst as he stands now next to her, “but he’d want you to move on, you know that.” “I know,” says Misty with a sigh, “I know. I don’t think I can though, Sunspot was Starsong’s world and she was his. She’s all I’ve got left of him and I don’t want to disappoint her by moving on to another stallion.” “But you won’t, mom,” butts in Starsong, “you could never disappoint me. I’ll be okay, I promise.” A few days later, it’s the day of the funeral and the family gathers around the graveside. Everypony says a good word about Sunspot. The funeral lasts for about an hour. They then head off to lunch where they discuss fun memories and fond memories about Sunspot. After all, those stories are the best way to continue to keep his memory alive. Stellar Flare while at lunch finally bursts out into tears after holding it in the entire funeral. “Why do I always seem to lose ponies close to me?” She cries as she inquires. “My husband, now my son. Years ago your sister straight up ran away to a different world abandoning me.” She turns to Sunburst. “Then you left, not even you stuck around.” “Mom,” say Sunburst and Sunset in unison, “we’re going to get through this together, we promise. We’re not going to abandon you again. We promise.” They give their mother a hug and everypony else in the family follow suit before Starlight and Sunset have to sneak out to feed the crying fillies in their hooves. Everypony else soon leaves the restaurant as well. They then all head home together. Right now, all they want to do is grieve as a family, remember Sunspot and his memory as a family. Chapter 4After spending two more weeks at Misty’s, Sunset and Sunburst return to the Crystal Empire once again accompanied by Starsong. “Are you sure your mom is okay with you leaving her again?” Asks Sunburst concerned. “It’s only for a few weeks, she’s just still packing up to move back here to the Empire, she’ll be fine,” responds Starsong. “Okay, if you say so,” responds Sunburst. Meanwhile back at Starsong’s foal hood home, Misty works on packing up boxes upon boxes with Stellar Flare’s help. “It is smart that you and your daughter are moving back into the Crystal Empire proper. Their school is good and she’ll do well there. And besides, she basically lives at Sunburst’s anyways when she’s in the Empire.” Stellar chuckles. “Yeah, I know,” sighs Misty, “I just feel regret from not moving back there sooner still is all. I just miss Sunspot so much.” She breaks back down into tears. Stellar comes over to comfort her daughter in law. “Shhh, shhh, child it’s okay,” says Stellar as she runs her hooves through Misty’s mane, “it’s not your fault.” After about an hour to two of crying, the two return to packing and a week later, Misty and her daughter are fully moved into a house in the Crystal Empire right up the way from Sunburst and Starlight and Sunset no less. Starsong is more than thrilled. The following Monday at school, Starsong is introduced by her teacher Mrs. Haybarley to the rest of the students before taking her seat between two other young mares. “Hello, we’re Dandelion and Daffodil Daze,” say the bright yellow unicorn twins with beaming smiles on their faces to the newcomer, “you must be new here, what’s your name?” “Starsong,” responds Starsong. “And yeah, I’m new here. Moved here last week, Thursday.” “Well, welcome,” respond the unicorn twins with the smiles still on their faces. After the school day comes to an end at about 4:00 that afternoon, Starsong walks out chattering with the twins. She’s glad to have finally made her first true friends. After about a half hour, Starsong is finally picked up by Starlight. “Why isn’t mom picking me up?” Asks Starsong confused. “She broke down in tears again, so I told her to just stay and that I’d come pick you up to which she agreed, I hope you don’t mind,” responds Starlight with a smile. “No, not at all,” responds Starsong. “I made two new friends today by the way, with the unicorn twins Dandelion and Daffodil Daze.” “You keep good company,” says Starlight, “better than I did at your age. Sunburst was the only friend I ever had and I kinda snapped when he left, but things are better now, obviously.” Starlight giggles. “Yeah,” agrees Starsong, “you two are so happy together!” The young mare smiles. “I’m so glad we’re family, you know that?” “Yeah, I know,” responds Starlight. Minutes later, they arrive home where they’re greeted by Misty and Sunset. “I just got the fillies asleep,” says Sunset to Starlight. “Yeah, thanks for that,” says Starlight with a smile. She uses her magic to open the fridge where she pulls out premade sandwiches for Starsong and for herself. Starsong takes the sandwich with her own magic and begins snacking on it. She then goes on to tell everypony about her day at school including the new friends she made. Needless to say, her mom and the rest of her family are overjoyed. They’re so glad to see her adjusted to life in the Crystal Empire. About three hours later, Sunburst returns home from work and Starsong tells him all about her day as he eats his own sandwich and drinks his Crystal berry cider. “I’m glad you’re getting used to everything here and adjusting well,” says Sunburst with a smile. “I’m glad you’ve made friends. We all are. And Ms. Lily Daze’s fillies are some of the sweetest. I’m glad you’ve befriended them. They’re the nicest mares I’ve ever met.” “What does their mom do that you’re familiar with Dandelion and Daffodil Daze?” Inquires Starsong. “Their mom is a social worker for Cadence’s orphanage,” responds Sunburst, “sometimes if I don’t have anything to do for Shining Armor, Cadence has me help out at the Crystal Kingdom Orphanage. That’s how I met Lily Daze.” “Okay, that’s actually quite cool,” responds Starsong. She lets out a slow yawn. “Go get some sleep,” her mom pipes up. Starsong nods and wishes everyone goodnight before going to her guest room in Sunburst and Starlight’s house. Tomorrow she has another day of school, it’s best she gets the most sleep she possibly can in the meantime. Chapter 2The next morning, Starlight and Sunburst wake up to the crying of the two fillies. They rub their eyes, stretch, and scoop up the fillies and go and wake up Sunset as Starsong continues to sleep on the couch in the living room. She’s soon shook awake by Sunburst. “Starsong, it’s breakfast time,” says Sunburst. Starsong lets out a yawn as she wakes up and stretches. She then heads into the kitchen where she finds fresh made pancakes which she gobbles down. “Celestia’s recipe,” giggles Sunburst, “straight out of the Royal Cookbook.” Sunset and Starlight giggle and snicker at him as they nurse the fillies. “What?” Says the stallion. “Oh, nothing,” respond his sister and his wife as they continue to giggle. “Besides, don’t you have to get to work?” Says Starlight. “Well crap, I’m late!” Hollers Sunburst as he grabs his glasses and cloak and heads out the door towards the palace. A few minutes later, he arrives. “Sorry I’m late, your highnesses,” he says as he bows before the prince and the princesses. “It’s fine,” responds Cadence, “it’s only ten minutes. You’re fine.” She smiles. “Now let’s all get to that meeting.” Sunburst nods and follows Cadence and Shining into the meeting hall while Flurry heads off to her studies in the royal library with her tutor Sir Yellowpages and his assistant Sepia Tones. Meanwhile in the meeting, Sunburst and the Royals talk budget with the newly appointed Empire prime minister, Top Hat. The meeting takes about three hours before they break for lunch before continuing for another two hours before finally wrapping up for the day and parting ways. Sunset heads to wok in the archives of the royal library to reorganize and relabel all the books while Cadence and Shining go to the main part of the library to check on their daughter and her studies. Meanwhile at the Sunburst house, Starsong entertains the fillies while Sunset and Starlight enjoy coffee and some lemon pound cake in the kitchen. “She’s so good with the fillies,” says Starlight to Sunset as they watch from their seats in the kitchen. “Yeah, it’s nice to have her around,” responds Sunset, “after all, she’s more than a cousin to us, she’s like a little sister too. She’s so sweet. I just hope our brother, Sunspot gets better soon. He’s the eldest of the three of us, it goes him, Sunburst, me. He said if anything ever happened to him, Sunburst was to take in Starsong as his own.” “Well, let’s hope he’ll be okay then,” responds Starlight as she tries to reassure Sunset, “for Starsong’s sake.” “Yes, for Starsong’s sake,” responds Sunset. She lets out a sigh. She then goes and puts her dishes in the sink. Starlight does the same. They go join Starsong and the fillies on the living room floor. They’re all just keeping busy until Sunburst gets home at this point after all.
Chapter 1It’s a bright sunny day in the Crystal Empire when Sunburst and Starlight get a knock at their door. “I’ll get it!” Hollers Sunburst as he runs to the door and opens it with his magic. Standing there is a cream coated unicorn with light cream socks and a blue and orange mane and tail with Star earrings dangling from her ears and a matching necklace dangling around her neck. “Oh, hey cuz,” says Sunburst. “Please do come in.” Starsong nods and comes inside. A few hours later, Sunset arrives with her filly in tow. Starlight soon comes out with her filly and joins Everypony else in the main room. The two mares put the two fillies on the floor. The adults begin talking. “How’s your father Sunspot after his accident?” Inquires Sunburst. “He’s on constant bed rest but he’ll be fine eventually,” responds Starsong. “He’s a stubborn stallion.” Starsong gets down on the floor and begins playing with Morning Glory and Sunrise as the fillies giggle. She shakes a rattle with her magic and the fillies soon grab it from her with theirs. A few minutes later, Sunburst pipes up. “Do you mind foalsitting for a little bit?” He inquires. “We are required to be at the Crystal Empire Ball by the Princess.” “Sure, would love to, cuz,” says Starsong to Sunburst. Sunburst, Sunset, and Starlight head to the rooms at the back of the house and get ready. Sunburst gets into an elegant light blue suit leaning on the more turquoise side of blue and adjusts his glasses and straightens his goatee. Starlight puts on an elegant silver dress with a purple sash while Sunset puts on a glittering teal one with floral accents. The three then head out the door after giving Starsong instructions on how to care for the fillies. Starsong nods and wishes them well. She then reads the instructions. First thing written down there is feed the fillies which she does with no issue. She then puts them down for a nap after burping them just as stated in the note. After awhile, the fillies wake up from their naps and she plays with them with their toys for a little bit and even lets them play with her necklace with some close monitoring of course. “This is a breeze,” says the mare with a smile. “I don’t know what Sunburst was so worried about.” She lets out a sigh. “I am definitely best foalsitter.” She takes the necklace and levitates it onto a shelf with her magic and goes back to letting the fillies play with their toys. Sunrise makes a stuffed bunny dance with her magic while Morning Glory uses it to make her teddy bear do the same. The fillies giggle as they play with their toys. Starsong watches on with a smile and even joins in one the fun using her magic to make Morning Glory’s stuffed puppy toy do the same which makes the fillies giggle with joy. After a few hours, the fillies finally tucker out and she puts them down for the night. “Easy peasy,” she sighs. She goes to the kitchen and makes herself some dinner and sits down and eats it as she projects a movie up on the wall using her magic. “Easy peasy.” Meanwhile at the Crystal Empire Ball, everypony dances gliding across the floor as Sunset watches from the corner where she is soon spotted by Twilight. “Hey Sunset,” says the princess as she trots towards her friend. “Oh hey, Twilight,” says Sunset as she embraces her friend in a hug, “it’s good to see you.” “Yeah, you too,” responds Twilight, “I’m surprised you came.” “Well I’m not surprised that you did, you and your brother are best friends,” giggles Sunset. “Fair,” Twilight giggles back. “You and Sunburst could be that close as siblings too, ya know.” “Yeah, but we’re not like that, not like you and Shining, but we’re learning to be close again,” sighs Sunset as she gives Twilight a look. “Honestly, I don’t think he’s quite over me up and leaving him and mom all those years ago.” “Well, that’s going to take a little time, you know that,” responds Twilight as she puts her hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Give it time, give him a little time. I have to go. It was good to see you.” “Yeah, you too,” responds Sunset with a smile. Twilight heads over to where Cadence and Shining are standing and butts in to share a dance with her big brother. The two giggle, chat, and smile as they dance. “I’m glad you could make it, little sis,” says Shining with a smile, “I know how busy ruling Canterlot is keeping you, how busy ruling Equestria is keeping you.” “Well, it’s not so bad,” responds Twilight, “it’s more a hassle for me and Flash to keep up with the foals, especially the older two. The youngest is so shy she just hides behind her daddy’s hind legs all the time.” She giggles. “They’re all absolute precious angels though. Heck, your nephew is a spitting image of you.” “Yeah, how are my nieces and nephew?” Says Shining. “Like I said, they’re doing well,” responds Twilight. “Y’all need to come visit sometime. Stardust, Gilded Shield, and Sunglow really would like to see their aunt, uncle, and cousin. Where is Flurry by the way? I haven’t seen her all night.” “She has a new coltfriend she’s been hanging out with, Spearhead’s boy,” responds Shining. “Well, good for her!” Responds Twilight. “I can’t wait to meet him!” A few minutes later, Flurry Heart and Spearhead’s son trot into the room and over towards Cadence and the siblings. “Hey mom, hey dad, hey auntie Twi!” Says Flurry as she embraces them in a hug. She then lets go. “Oh, I almost forgot,” says Flurry blushing, “this is my coltfriend, Tip.” “Hey, nice to meet ya, Princess,” he says towards Twilight as he picks up her hoof and kisses it after bowing at her. Twilight looks strangely at the stallion before shaking her head. He gets back on his hooves. “It was good to meet you, too,” responds Twilight. She turns to her brother. “Nice kid.” She turns back towards her niece. “I’m happy for you, Flurry. Congratulations.” “Thanks auntie!” Says Flurry as she embraces her aunt in a hug. “I’m glad you like him!” The two trot off leaving Twilight, Shining, and Cadence to get back to their conversation. “So, what do you think of Tip?” Inquires Shining. “He’s a nice colt, don’t you think?” “Very much so, I like him even if he took me a little aback at first,” responds Twilight, “and I’m happy for Flurry. They’re honestly perfect for each other.” A few minutes later, the three are approached by Sunburst, Starlight, and Sunset. “Are you guys heading out?” Inquires Twilight. “Yeah, can’t leave the fillies under our cousin Starsong’s care all night, I’m sure she’s exhausted,” says Sunburst. The three give their friends some goodbye hugs and head out of the palace and home. A few minutes later, they arrive home and go inside where they find Starsong passed out on the couch. They smile as Sunburst uses his magic to pull a blanket over the worn out mare. Sunburst, Starlight, and Sunset then go and check on the fillies who are fast asleep in the crib in Sunburst and Starlight’s room. The three then turn in for the night themselves. Sunburst and Starlight get into their bed and Sunset retreats to the only guest room in the house. It’s been a long night for everypony and it’s about time they all got some sleep.
Chapter 3A few days later, a letter arrives at the Sunburst house for Starsong. It’s from her mom. “Dear baby girl,” she reads, “I hate to inform you, but your father passed away last night. We need you home. The funeral is Saturday. Tell the rest of the family to come along too, Sunburst and Sunset need to be there as does their mother.” Starsong goes off and tells Sunburst and Sunset the bad news. She soon finds them in the kitchen. “Sunburst, Sunset,” says Starsong in tears. “What’s wrong?” Asks Sunburst as he turns around. She runs into his hooves. “Dad,” sniffles Starsong, “he died last night. We are all required at the funeral this weekend.” “Okay, I’ll let Cadence know I can’t come into work,” says Sunburst. He promptly sends a letter to the palace. “There, done.” He then heads off to pack followed by Sunset. Starlight follows suit. She can’t help but be confused though. “Honey, what’s wrong?” Asks Starlight as she grabs her husband’s hoof. “My big brother just died, we’re heading to the funeral,” responds Sunburst. At this, Starlight shuts up and finishes her packing. She then packs for the fillies as does Sunset. That same noon, they’re on the first train to the Hollow. Once there, they pick up Stellar Flare who is awaiting them with her bags. Once she’s on board, the train pulls out of the station and heads up to Horseshoe Head where Sunspot and his wife live. All the way there, Starsong can’t help but think about her poor mom and how she’s fairing. At the same time, she can barely hold herself together. Seeing this, Sunburst and Sunset head over to comfort the crying mare. “Hey Starsong,” says Sunburst and Sunset as they take Starsong in their arms. “How are you holding up?” “Honestly, not well,” sniffles Starsong. “I was always a daddy’s girl and now he’s gone.” She continues to cry. “I don’t know what to do now that he’s gone.” A few hours later, they finally arrive at Horseshoe Head in the Crystal Canyon. There, they are greeted at the door by Sunspot’s wife Misty Glow. She’s in tears. Seeing this, Starsong rushes into her mother’s arms. Misty embraces her daughter in a hug. She then leads them all inside. She then closes the door behind them. “I’m so glad you all are here,” sighs Misty still in tears, “it was so sudden, his passing.” “What happened?” Says Stellar Flare as she takes Misty’s head on her hoof. “Please tell us. Tell me.” “Okay,” she sighs, “he became sick for the first time a few months ago and it just got worse from there since there’s no doctors out here, not really. We couldn’t get him the help he needed. We’re so sorry.” “It’s okay, it’s not your fault, but y’all should’ve stayed in the city,” sighs Stellar Flare, “then he could’ve gotten help.” “I know, I know,” cries Misty, “and I regret leaving everyday. Don’t think I don’t.” She stares out the window. “I regret it everyday.” “Brother was a good stallion, he’ll be missed,” says Sunburst as he stands now next to her, “but he’d want you to move on, you know that.” “I know,” says Misty with a sigh, “I know. I don’t think I can though, Sunspot was Starsong’s world and she was his. She’s all I’ve got left of him and I don’t want to disappoint her by moving on to another stallion.” “But you won’t, mom,” butts in Starsong, “you could never disappoint me. I’ll be okay, I promise.” A few days later, it’s the day of the funeral and the family gathers around the graveside. Everypony says a good word about Sunspot. The funeral lasts for about an hour. They then head off to lunch where they discuss fun memories and fond memories about Sunspot. After all, those stories are the best way to continue to keep his memory alive. Stellar Flare while at lunch finally bursts out into tears after holding it in the entire funeral. “Why do I always seem to lose ponies close to me?” She cries as she inquires. “My husband, now my son. Years ago your sister straight up ran away to a different world abandoning me.” She turns to Sunburst. “Then you left, not even you stuck around.” “Mom,” say Sunburst and Sunset in unison, “we’re going to get through this together, we promise. We’re not going to abandon you again. We promise.” They give their mother a hug and everypony else in the family follow suit before Starlight and Sunset have to sneak out to feed the crying fillies in their hooves. Everypony else soon leaves the restaurant as well. They then all head home together. Right now, all they want to do is grieve as a family, remember Sunspot and his memory as a family.
Chapter 4After spending two more weeks at Misty’s, Sunset and Sunburst return to the Crystal Empire once again accompanied by Starsong. “Are you sure your mom is okay with you leaving her again?” Asks Sunburst concerned. “It’s only for a few weeks, she’s just still packing up to move back here to the Empire, she’ll be fine,” responds Starsong. “Okay, if you say so,” responds Sunburst. Meanwhile back at Starsong’s foal hood home, Misty works on packing up boxes upon boxes with Stellar Flare’s help. “It is smart that you and your daughter are moving back into the Crystal Empire proper. Their school is good and she’ll do well there. And besides, she basically lives at Sunburst’s anyways when she’s in the Empire.” Stellar chuckles. “Yeah, I know,” sighs Misty, “I just feel regret from not moving back there sooner still is all. I just miss Sunspot so much.” She breaks back down into tears. Stellar comes over to comfort her daughter in law. “Shhh, shhh, child it’s okay,” says Stellar as she runs her hooves through Misty’s mane, “it’s not your fault.” After about an hour to two of crying, the two return to packing and a week later, Misty and her daughter are fully moved into a house in the Crystal Empire right up the way from Sunburst and Starlight and Sunset no less. Starsong is more than thrilled. The following Monday at school, Starsong is introduced by her teacher Mrs. Haybarley to the rest of the students before taking her seat between two other young mares. “Hello, we’re Dandelion and Daffodil Daze,” say the bright yellow unicorn twins with beaming smiles on their faces to the newcomer, “you must be new here, what’s your name?” “Starsong,” responds Starsong. “And yeah, I’m new here. Moved here last week, Thursday.” “Well, welcome,” respond the unicorn twins with the smiles still on their faces. After the school day comes to an end at about 4:00 that afternoon, Starsong walks out chattering with the twins. She’s glad to have finally made her first true friends. After about a half hour, Starsong is finally picked up by Starlight. “Why isn’t mom picking me up?” Asks Starsong confused. “She broke down in tears again, so I told her to just stay and that I’d come pick you up to which she agreed, I hope you don’t mind,” responds Starlight with a smile. “No, not at all,” responds Starsong. “I made two new friends today by the way, with the unicorn twins Dandelion and Daffodil Daze.” “You keep good company,” says Starlight, “better than I did at your age. Sunburst was the only friend I ever had and I kinda snapped when he left, but things are better now, obviously.” Starlight giggles. “Yeah,” agrees Starsong, “you two are so happy together!” The young mare smiles. “I’m so glad we’re family, you know that?” “Yeah, I know,” responds Starlight. Minutes later, they arrive home where they’re greeted by Misty and Sunset. “I just got the fillies asleep,” says Sunset to Starlight. “Yeah, thanks for that,” says Starlight with a smile. She uses her magic to open the fridge where she pulls out premade sandwiches for Starsong and for herself. Starsong takes the sandwich with her own magic and begins snacking on it. She then goes on to tell everypony about her day at school including the new friends she made. Needless to say, her mom and the rest of her family are overjoyed. They’re so glad to see her adjusted to life in the Crystal Empire. About three hours later, Sunburst returns home from work and Starsong tells him all about her day as he eats his own sandwich and drinks his Crystal berry cider. “I’m glad you’re getting used to everything here and adjusting well,” says Sunburst with a smile. “I’m glad you’ve made friends. We all are. And Ms. Lily Daze’s fillies are some of the sweetest. I’m glad you’ve befriended them. They’re the nicest mares I’ve ever met.” “What does their mom do that you’re familiar with Dandelion and Daffodil Daze?” Inquires Starsong. “Their mom is a social worker for Cadence’s orphanage,” responds Sunburst, “sometimes if I don’t have anything to do for Shining Armor, Cadence has me help out at the Crystal Kingdom Orphanage. That’s how I met Lily Daze.” “Okay, that’s actually quite cool,” responds Starsong. She lets out a slow yawn. “Go get some sleep,” her mom pipes up. Starsong nods and wishes everyone goodnight before going to her guest room in Sunburst and Starlight’s house. Tomorrow she has another day of school, it’s best she gets the most sleep she possibly can in the meantime.
Chapter 2The next morning, Starlight and Sunburst wake up to the crying of the two fillies. They rub their eyes, stretch, and scoop up the fillies and go and wake up Sunset as Starsong continues to sleep on the couch in the living room. She’s soon shook awake by Sunburst. “Starsong, it’s breakfast time,” says Sunburst. Starsong lets out a yawn as she wakes up and stretches. She then heads into the kitchen where she finds fresh made pancakes which she gobbles down. “Celestia’s recipe,” giggles Sunburst, “straight out of the Royal Cookbook.” Sunset and Starlight giggle and snicker at him as they nurse the fillies. “What?” Says the stallion. “Oh, nothing,” respond his sister and his wife as they continue to giggle. “Besides, don’t you have to get to work?” Says Starlight. “Well crap, I’m late!” Hollers Sunburst as he grabs his glasses and cloak and heads out the door towards the palace. A few minutes later, he arrives. “Sorry I’m late, your highnesses,” he says as he bows before the prince and the princesses. “It’s fine,” responds Cadence, “it’s only ten minutes. You’re fine.” She smiles. “Now let’s all get to that meeting.” Sunburst nods and follows Cadence and Shining into the meeting hall while Flurry heads off to her studies in the royal library with her tutor Sir Yellowpages and his assistant Sepia Tones. Meanwhile in the meeting, Sunburst and the Royals talk budget with the newly appointed Empire prime minister, Top Hat. The meeting takes about three hours before they break for lunch before continuing for another two hours before finally wrapping up for the day and parting ways. Sunset heads to wok in the archives of the royal library to reorganize and relabel all the books while Cadence and Shining go to the main part of the library to check on their daughter and her studies. Meanwhile at the Sunburst house, Starsong entertains the fillies while Sunset and Starlight enjoy coffee and some lemon pound cake in the kitchen. “She’s so good with the fillies,” says Starlight to Sunset as they watch from their seats in the kitchen. “Yeah, it’s nice to have her around,” responds Sunset, “after all, she’s more than a cousin to us, she’s like a little sister too. She’s so sweet. I just hope our brother, Sunspot gets better soon. He’s the eldest of the three of us, it goes him, Sunburst, me. He said if anything ever happened to him, Sunburst was to take in Starsong as his own.” “Well, let’s hope he’ll be okay then,” responds Starlight as she tries to reassure Sunset, “for Starsong’s sake.” “Yes, for Starsong’s sake,” responds Sunset. She lets out a sigh. She then goes and puts her dishes in the sink. Starlight does the same. They go join Starsong and the fillies on the living room floor. They’re all just keeping busy until Sunburst gets home at this point after all.
