My Little Pony © Bonnie Zacherle/Lauren Faust/Hasbro

Death & Rebirth: Part VI

Quite some time had passed since the birth of Twilight's son on Hearth's Warming Eve..

It was time for the 'Winter Wrap-Up' and, by now, little Alex Jr. had become fully accepted as one of Ponyville's citizens.

This was Alex Jr's first Winter Wrap-Up experience..not to mention is very first exposure to other ponies BESIDES Twilight and her Family.

and, Twilight wanted to ensure a good First Impression, and make her son's experience an enjoyable one.

[Ponyville, Oak Tree Library]

Twilight hummed a quaint little tune as she dressed her baby foal into some warm clothing.

predictably, Alex Jr. was acting quite fussy over the ordeal, and tried several times to run away and hide from his mother.

but, "Mother Knows Best" and, Twilight was determined to get her son ready.

"Hold STILL, Alex."

"(cries of protest)"

"ALEX, you need to dress warmly if you want to go out."

Alex Jr. continued to fuss, trying to get loose. but, Twilight was firm, and used her magic to MAKE HIM stay put.

"Behave yourself, young colt. or else, Momma WON'T get you a snowcone." Alex Jr. blinked his wide eyes at Twilight..Finally, his mood changed, and he stat still as Twilight dressed him.

"There..Now, you'll be as Snuck as a Bug in a Rug." Alex Jr. tipped over, as his clothing was heavier than he was.

"oops, guess I overdressed you a bit." said Twilight, realizing her error.

the green foal only responded with a sharp huff. Twilight then began remove some articles of clothing (but, not TOO much)

at last, the little colt properly dressed, AND had a light enough load to stand on his own four hooves.

"There..NOW, you're all ready."

Alex Jr. stared blankly..then, scratched at his scarf with his back leg like a dog. "Now-Now-Now..Let's have NONE of that! you need to wear that to keep from Freezing."

Alex Jr. stopped, grumbling lowly, Twilight then used her magic to levitate a list before her face.

"OKAY, let's see if I have everything checked off.." began the Alicorn

"Alex Jr. dressed warmly, CHECK.

List of things I need to do Today, CHECK.

Spike-still-refusing-to-get-up-and-help-me-with-work.."

(("Zzzzzz!"))

"CHECK!"

Twilight then looked down at her foal. "Ready to go, Sweetie!?"

Alex Jr. smiled as he nodded yes "GREAT, let's go."

[Later, at Ponyville Square]

Twilight hummed softly as she trotted down the snowy path..with little Alex Jr. hopping close behind.

As he was born in winter, he was quite used to the Snow and Ice. but, he didn't know what to think of the green grass that was beginning to show.

Spring would be something entirely NEW to him.

Twilight glanced back at the green foal. "Stay close, Alex..Don't wander off!"

Alex Jr. galloped over to his mother, staying close to her.

Twilight smiled to herself, PROUD to have such a well behaved and obedient child.

Twilight at last reached the Gazebo where the whole town seemed to be gathered. as she approached, she saw Mayor Mare giving a speech (that seem to be drawing to a close)

as she watched, a voice called her name. "TWI!"

Twilight looked, and saw Applejack and Applebloom approach. "AJ!"

Applejack smiled. "It's great to see you, Twi.."

Applejack then looked down at little Alex Jr. she smiled warmly as she lowered down to him. "and, YOU TOO, Sugarcube!" said Applejack, nuzzling his nose with her own

Alex Jr. giggled at this. By now, he was fully used to his mother's friends,

and, came to accept Applejack and the others as his family (like they were "secondary mothers")

"Is Alex ready for his first WINTER WRAP-UP!?"

"I hope so.." began Twilight "As it's his first time seeing Spring, (not to mention his first exposure to the town) I want everything to be PERFECT."

Applejack chuckled at this. "same ol' Twi, STILL trying to do everythang Perfectly."

Twilight looked at her friend. "Well..Why wouldn't I!?"

Applejack grinned. "Just Try to Relax, Twi..and, DON'T overdo thangs like you usually do. I think you'll find makin' a few mistakes is more educational than Absolute Perfection."

"Yeah..i know." said Twilight, looking down "But, I can't help myself: I don't want ANYTHING to go wrong for my son."

Applebloom finally stepped up.

"Sis..can I'ah take Alex with me?, I'm suppose to meet Sweetie Bell an' Scootaloo, an' I'ah promised I'd bring him."

"well.."

"PLEEEEEEASE!?" said Applebloom, making her eyes BIG

Applejack looked at Twilight..who huffed, then nodded. "well..Okay. but, be careful, and DON'T do anything extreme: Remember, he's only a Baby."

"OKAY!" the red maned filly approached Alex Jr. "Com'on, Alex: Let's have some FUN, CUTIE MARK CRUSADER STYLE!"

Alex Jr, had no idea what Applebloom was talking about..but, he didn't really care. he trusted the filly, and thought whatever she was saying sounded fun.

as the two young ponies ran off, Twilight stared with a concerned look on her face.

"i..I hope I didn't just make a mistake." said Twilight, finally

"Oh, they'll be FINE, Twilight." began Applejack "Lil' Alex means EVERYTHANG to Applebloom. She won't let anythang bad happen to the youngin."

"I know..but, I've NEVER let Junior go with the "C.M.C." unsupervised. and, I know they sometimes engage into some rather "extreme" activities-"

"They know better than to do all that with a young foal, Twi. You've gotta learn to have some faith, an' TRUST them."

Twilight exhaled sharply. "i know..i'm sorry. but, It's just that-"

"I 'KNOW', Twi..I miss him, too." Tears began to form in Twilight's eyes (which she did her best to wipe away.)

"thank faust for my baby: he's made the pain of Alex's death hurt less. but, the pain still remains..and, sometimes I feel I would give ANYTHING just to see him again."

Applejack walked near Twilight, and stood beside her. "i'ah understand..i'ah really do, twi." said Applejack, her tone soft

"I'ah know you have the most reason to mourn him..but, I'ah miss him, too. sometimes..Sometimes I cry mahself to sleep at night, like I'ah did after mah folks died."

Twilight looked at Applejack..who was shedding her own tears.

"i'm..sorry. i..I completely forgot about your-"

"it's..(sniff) a-alright." said Applejack, wiping her tears away "Mah Granny told me that they're in a better place. and, I assume Alex is in that exact same place..with everypony else we LOVE and Miss."

a brief silence passed..then, Twilight spoke again. "So..I g-guess we better get going, then."

Applejack nodded. "Eee-Yup, You hav'a Winter Wrap-Up to organize. an' I'ah already know what MAH job is."

Twilight looked at Applejack as she walked off. "Plowing the Snow?!"

"EEE-YUP!" exclaimed Applejack "CATCH YOU LATER, TWI!"

Twilight watched with a smile as her friend departed. she then exhaled, knowing she had alot of work to do. then, at last made her way to the Mayor (who by now, had finished her speech)

"Umm..Mayor?" the grey maned pony looked at Twilight. "OH!, Twilight!: so good of you come! Now, our Winter Wrap-Up preparations can begin."

Twilight smiled weakly.

"uh..thanks. j-just give me the list, and I'll get right to work with organizing everypony."

Mayor Mare looked around. "Say..where is he?"

Twilight eyed the mayor. "Who?"

"That son of yours. I heard you had a child..is he here?!"

"Um..you, uhh..just missed him. my baby left with Applebloom to play with her friends."

"oh..I see. WELL, That's quite alright. I guess I'll have to see him AFTER our work is completed."

"uh..Yeah, I suppose." Mayor Mare gave Twilight a clipboard. "Here is a list of thing that need done, Ms. Sparkle. I am counting on you to see to it that everything is done accordingly."

Twilight took the list, and placed it in her saddlebag. "I won't let you down, Ms. Mayor."

"MRS. Mayor." corrected Mayor Mare

"oh..sorry, I didn't-"

"It's okay: Most ponies forget that I am still married."

with that, the Mayor walked off..leaving Twilight Alone. Twilight immediately checked the list real quick..which was rather long. she paused for a moment, overlooking the still snowy landscape of Ponyville.

she looked over the horizon..and spied Apple Blossom Grove. the final resting place of the one she loved the most.

she sighed sharply, looking down. the alicorn then looked up at the overcast clouds in the sky.

"alex." began Twilight, her voice soft and solemn "i..I'm not sure if you can hear me (or, if you can even see me) But, I sincerely hope that you CAN..because I have something to say."

Twilight paused, feeling emotions well up inside of her. "i..i miss you. I still love you with all of my heart..and, I wish you were still here.

i..I am doing my very best to raise our son, to give him a better life than you had."

Twilight smiled, despite her tears. "he is so much like you in every way. and, he makes the pain of your death hurt less."

Twilight looked up at the sky again. "Someday..we shall be together again. but, for now, I will stay..and, raise our son as I promised I would."

a single tear fell down Twilight's cheek. "i..i will make you proud, my love."

a moment of silence passed. Twilight at last exhaled, then moved on with her work.

[Elsewhere]

Applebloom and Alex Jr. trotted at a steady pace through the snowy landscape.

"Just you wait, Alex. We're gonna have some FUN Today!" exclaimed Applebloom

the young foal still had no idea what the red maned filly was saying. BUT, he always had fun with her when staying at Sweet Apple Acres..

So, he was plenty excited none-the-less.

at last, the two met up with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle (who were waiting patiently near the closed up Sugar Cube Corner)

"BELLE!, SCOOTS!" exclaimed Applebloom

the two looked at her. "BLOOM!" "BLOOM!"

Applebloom trotted over to her friends with Alex Jr. in tow.

Alex was plenty happy, as he also recognized the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders from his time spent with Rarity, and even Rainbow Dash.

"He-ey!, You brought the Little guy!" exclaimed Scootaloo, happily

Applebloom nodded. "yep!, now th' fun can REALLY git started."

Sweetie Belle pondered for a brief moment. "Sooo..what ARE we suppose to do today to get our Cutie Marks?"

Applebloom shrugged. "dunno..But, it can't be anythang too "extreme." I'ah promised Twilight we would when I'ah asked if Alex could come'along."

Scootaloo then blushed bright red as she hid a list that she had brought.

"What's that?!" asked Applebloom "n-nothin." replied Scootaloo, meekly

Alex Jr. quickly became bored with the talking. he looked around..then, began to wander around the snowy fields.

"WHOA, Thar, lil' fella!" Applebloom quickly brought him back with the group.

"Best stick with US: Cutie Mark Crusaders ALWAYS stick together."

Alex Jr. gave Applebloom a look, as if puzzled. Scootaloo then thought of something. "HEY!, Why don't we do something Alex would like to do!?"

"Like what?" questioned Sweetie Belle

"well..he's still a , there is still alot of snow here..Maybe we could make a Snowpony, or build a Snow Fort!"

Sweetie Belle made an unsure expression. "Not really sure how that will get us our Cutie Marks."

"No, Scootaloo is RIGHT." said Applebloom "We should do somethang with Alex that HE would like. we can always try gittin' our cutie marks some other day."

Sweetie Belle let out a sigh. "yeah..I guess your right."

Applebloom started up by plowing some snow with her fixed up a large mound, making it flat and smooth atop the ground.

Alex Jr. watched as the fillies went to work.

Sweetie Belle used her magic to sculpt some 'snow legs', while Scootaloo rolled up a large ball of snow to use as a 'body'

smiling, Alex Jr. began to roll up some snow himself. In no time at all, the CMC nearly finished with their Snowpony.

"There we go." said Applebloom "Now, all it needs is a-" the three noticed Alex rolling his ball of snow.

"And, There's our Head." said Scootaloo

Sweetie Bell used her magic to levitate the snowball. she then sculpted it as best she could, then placed it atop the body of the Snowpony.

"WOW, Bell: Your getting better that this." said Scootaloo

Sweetie Bell smiled. "THANKS: I've been practicing."

the three (plus Alex) marveled at their creation..

..but, suddenly, a huge snowball rolled out of nowhere, and completely demolished it. "WHA-!?"

(("AHH-HAH! HAH! HAH! HAH! HAH! HAAAAAAAA!"))

(("YAH-HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HAAAAAAAAA!"))

the CMC looked, and saw too familiar fillies approach: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"oh, great..THEM." thought Applebloom

"AWW, What's the matter?! did we knock over your Snowpony (snickers)"

Scootaloo was the first to stand up to the bullies. "Are you CRAZY!? That thing was HUGE, It nearly KILLED US!"

Diamond Tiara scoffed at this. "Oh, believe me "Chicken Filly" If i were trying to kill you..You'd KNOW."

Sweetie Belle didn't care too much for tha last statement.

Applebloom then stepped up. "LOOK, I'ah don't care if ya'll DO pick on us (we can take it) but, You nearly crushed Alex!, So why don't ya'll just: BACK OFF!"

The two prissy fillies eyed Alex Jr.

"Well..would you look at THAT." began Diamond Tiara, smirking "You Crusaders really ARE babies, Afterall."

Scootaloo stomped her front hoove. "We. Are. NOT!"

"Your chosen company begs to differ."

both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon laughed out loud, amused at their own heckling. Scootaloo looked ready to wail on them both (but, Applebloom and Sweetie Bell held her back)

Finally, Alex Jr. walked up to the bullies. with a scowl on his tiny face, he tried to zap Diamond Tiara's hoove..

..but, his stubby horn only made a faint spark, not unlike a firecracker.

Diamond Tiara scowled at the foal. "GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU RUNT!"

To everypony's shock, Diamond Tiara struck at Alex Jr. making him tumbled backwards into the snow.

the CMC gasped, shocked..what happened next was predictable.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

Alex Jr. wailed loudly, tears streaming down his face.

"YOU WITCH!" shrieked Sweetie Belle, angrily "How DARE you hit him, HOW DARE YOU!"

Diamond Tiara scoffed again. "Brat had it coming."

Scootaloo gritted her teeth as she growled. "How'd you like having your tail set on fire?!"

Diamond Tiara glared at the orange pegasi. "You so much as TOUCH ME, and I'll have my daddy call the Police on you!"

"Maybe 'I' should be calling the Police on YOU!" retorted Scootaloo

"HAH!, Like Anypony would believe YOU."

"oh..I would." said a voice

the group looked up, and saw Rainbow Dash descend down upon them. "Rainbo-!?"

"i saw everything." said the cyan pegasi

Rainbow Dash glared at the pink filly and her friend. "You better run while you can, you spoiled brat. I've already sent somepony to tell Twilight about this, and she WON'T be merciful."

Diamond Tiara wasted no time running away (with Silver Spoon close behind.)

Rainbow Dash looked at Alex Jr..who was still bawling. "S-Sis, I-I-"

Rainbow Dash ignored Scootaloo's stutters. instead, she walked over and nuzzled Alex Jr. "there-there, shhhh..it's okay."

Alex Jr's cries began to lessen. he looked up at the rainbow maned mare..and, began to calm down.

"i'm here, now..it's alright."

Alex Jr. at last calmed down. he gently rubbed his head against Rainbow Dash, who laid down beside him.

"R-Raibow Dash.." began Applebloom. Rainbow Dash looked at the filly. "I'm SO SORRY..we tried, w-we really did, but-"

"I know." said Rainbow Dash "I saw and heard everything: It wasn't your fault."

Suddenly, there was a bright amethyst flash. Rainbow Dash and the CMC looked..and, saw a SUPER MAD Twilight Sparkle before them.

"WHERE IS SHE?!" yelled Twilight, angrily "WHERE IS THE FAUSTD*MN, B*CKING B*TCH WHO HIT MY SON!?"

"TWILIGHT!" snapped Rainbow Dash "CALM. DOWN. there are Children present."

Twilight breathed heavily..then, at last exhaled. "right..sorry."

the Alicorn then glared darkly. "but, WHERE. IS. SHE!?"

"Gone." replied Scootaloo "She ran as soon as Rainbow Dash mentioned you."

Twilight scowled angrily. "She SHOULD. NOPONY strikes at my son, and gets away with it."

Twilight looked down at her son..who was curled up to Rainbow Dash. as Twilight approached, Rainbow Dash rose up.

little Alex Jr. looked up at his mother..who smiled warmly at him. "it's alright..momma's here." said Twilight, as she laid down beside him

the green foal snuggling up to her, his eye wetting. Twilight stroked his tiny mane with her hoove..then, noticed a small bruise on his cheek.

"why that litt-"

"T-Twilight.." Twilight looked as Applebloom approached. "ah'm..Ah'm sorry. you trusted me to look after yer baby, and I'ah let you down."

Twilight stared at the lemon yellow filly..then breathed out softly.

"no..you did fine, Applebloom: You AND your friends. I don't blame any of you for what happened..it wasn't any of your faults."

Rainbow Dash sighed sharply. "I..i better get back to work. I-I have a job that needs getting done."

"of course, Rainbow: you go right ahead. I'll just take Alex back to the town square with me." with that, Twilight's horn glowed. both She, and Alex Jr. then disappeared in a flash of light.

Rainbow Dash sighed again..then, looked over at her adopted sister. "I'm proud that you stuck up for Alex when you did, Scoots."

Scootaloo looked down. "i was..j-just trying to be like you."

Rainbow Dash smiled. "and, you WERE: That is exactly what I would have done."

Rainbow Dash then affectionately ruffled Scootaloo's mane. "later, kid."

with that, Rainbow Dash spread out her wings and shot up into the sky. the three fillies looked at one another.

"so..Now what?" said Sweetie Belle

Applebloom exhaled. "i'ah..don't really know."

Author's Note:

It helps to watch the "Winter Wrap-Up" episode to get a good idea on the setting of this chapter.

Anyways, this chapter deals with the inedible hardships that comes from being a parent: Dealing with BULLIES.

in which case, said bully is Diamond Tiara (a real evil child, if ever there was one)

I will expand on the Bully Situation in the next chapter,

so, for now, I will detail the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Applejack.

as I have stated before, the CMC were very close to Alex Sr. when he was alive.

mainly because like them, he was a blank flank (and, remained one after he died)

his death hit them hard, so when his son came out looking just like him,

they immediately look at Alex Jr. as the original Alex reborn, and returned to them.

So, their protection of them is understandable.

Applejack's implied tragic past, I based on some fanon concepts.

in which the absence of AJ's parents being that they died when she was Applebloom's age.

for that reason, I had AJ be a sympathetic shoulder for Twilight to cry on.

implying that AJ knows what loss is, and understand's Twilight's feelings.