Here's another chapter, and this time, Comet Tail (as well as his family) take the center stage. Another pretty bleak chapter, I'll admit, but it's still a good one overall. Interesting fact; George wrote this song back in 1966, but it was rejected possibly due to religious overtones.

Sub-Volume 2 - Fortunes and Tragedies

Chapter 12 - Art of Dying (Harrison, 1970)

Written by Zack Wanzer and James Riddle

Comet Tail's family came from England; prior to his birth, they had moved to Rainbow Falls because his father, Top Marks, had gotten a job overseas and so he brought his family of six children as well as his wife Mystic Light. She was pregnant with Comet by the time they had moved, and he was born on March 16, 1997, child number seven.

Comet was a sweet, timid little boy, but he didn't have too many friends in his youth when he attended Canterlot Elementary School. Five of his older siblings didn't even know he existed, nor did his father. The only ones that took notice of him were his oldest brother Shooting Star as well as their mother.

Mystic Light was kind and loving, and cared deeply about all seven of her children, Comet in particular. Top Marks, however, was more strict and, to Comet's mind, a bit scary, which often intimidated him and it made him very nervous and awkward in society.

Now, Comet was a boy at the age of thirteen, and since beginning middle school, he'd gained a few friends out of Vincent, Sunset, Twilight, and Flash, the latter having since gone to Canterlot High.

APRIL 9, 2010

That Friday, Comet was spending time with his friends at school.

"Anybody got plans this Saturday?" asked Twilight. "Shining Armor and Cadance are taking me to a book convention."

"Since I'll be attending Canterlot High next year," said Sunset, "my mom, aunt Luna, and I will be talking about what classes I'll be taking."

"My parents are taking me, Flash, and Fictionary to a model railway show," said Vincent.

"What about you, Comet?" asked Twilight.

Comet sighed and looked to the ground. "Whenever I came home from school," he said, "I'd often hang out with my oldest brother Shooting Star. He was almost like a father in my eyes, but following second grade for me, he went off to Crystal University, and I haven't spoken to him much since then. Now all I have is my mother for company."

"And you got us, your friends," added Vincent.

"Well, that's true," said Comet.

"Why is the rest of your family so selfish?" asked Twilight.

"I don't know," said Comet. "Dad just scares me, and my other five siblings seem to act like I don't even exist."

"That's wrong!" protested Sunset. "Families are supposed to love each other, not ignore each other!"

"Have you considered talking to your mother about this?" asked Twilight.

"I have, but I'm too scared of what they might do to me if Mom does tell them off," said Comet Tail.

"Don't let yourself be pushed around," said Vincent. "That's what Flash always tells me."

"That must be a very inspirational thing for your brother to say," said Twilight.

Eventually, the school day was over. The four friends stood near the school entrance, waiting for their parents to pick them up. Twilight was the first to notice her parents.

"There's my ride," she said. "I'll see you guys Monday."

"See ya, Twilight," said Sunset, and she and the two boys waved. Just as Twilight was leaving with her parents, Principal Pierce came up to the trio.

"Comet Tail," he said, "I'd like to see you in my office."

Comet Tail gulped; Sunset could sense his fears.

"I'm sure everything will be okay," she said in a comforting tone.

"H-how do you know?"

"Just trust me," said Sunset.

So Comet Tail followed the principal into the school office.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"There is," said Principal Pierce, "and it involves your family. I'm afraid your mother isn't coming to pick you up."

"She isn't?" asked Comet Tail. "Why not?"

"That afternoon, I received a call from the police," explained Principal Pierce. "From what I understand, they say your home caught on fire and your mother..."

He didn't need to say anymore, for Comet realized what that meant.

"She's gone?" he asked.

"I'm afraid so, Comet," said Principal Pierce grimly. "I'm sorry."

Poor Comet Tail could not believe that one of the only family members that acknowledged his existence was gone. He bit his lip to prevent himself crying, but tears came out of his eyes anyway. Principal Pierce politely dismissed him, and Comet went back outside. By now, Vincent had left with Lullaby Strings, leaving Sunset waiting for Celestia. When she saw the look on Comet's face, she knew what the matter was.

"I'm sorry for what happened," she said softly.

"It's not your fault," sighed Comet. "But now I'll never be acknowledged in my own family ever again. This is proof that I don't deserve to exist at all."

"Comet Tail! Don't say that!" Sunset cried, a little more sharply than she intended.

"Well, it's true!" objected Comet. "The rest of my family barely even acknowledges my existence. I bet they purposely set the house on fire to kill her just so I would be miserable!"

"Why would you even think that?" cried Sunset, unable to grasp that her friend would think such dark thoughts.

"Well, why wouldn't they?" asked Comet. "If they didn't want me miserable, they would notice me!"

"Maybe they've just been busy with their own duties," suggested Sunset.

Comet's expression softened a little upon hearing it.

"How many brothers did you say you had?" asked Sunset.

"Actually, I have three older brothers and three older sisters," explained Comet, "and two of the sisters are twins."

"Seven siblings in all?" exclaimed Sunset. "Your family must be rich!"

"That's kinda an understatement, but to an extent, they are," said Comet.

"Looks like we have a reason behind your neglect," said Sunset. "Your family must be busy with their own accords that they haven't the time."

Comet thought about this for a minute. He finally said, "I think I see your point."

Honk! Honk!

"Sunset! I'm here to pick you up!"

"That's my mom," said Sunset. She offered Comet a hug, which he accepted.

"Thanks for giving me comfort when I needed it," he whispered.

"Anything I can do for a friend," replied Sunset. They broke away, and then she ran up to Celestia's car.

"Did you have a good day at school?" asked Celestia.

"Oh, I did, mom," said Sunset, getting in the car. "However, my friend Comet Tail... I'd heard his mother died in a house fire earlier today."

"Oh, that's terrible news," said Celestia, "I do hope Comet Tail will be alright."

"Me too, mom."

APRIL 17, 2010

The following Saturday was the day of Mystic Light's funeral. It wasn't raining, but the mood was still very somber. The family was dressed fully in black to mourn her. Comet Tail had tears in his eyes as his oldest brother Shooting Star held him close. Shooting Star was twenty-three years old with moderate azure hair and pale cornflower blue eyes.

"It's going to be alright, little brother," he said softly.

Just then, the minister cleared his throat and the funeral began.

"Friends and well-wishers," he began, "we are gathered here to say goodbye to Mystic Light. She was the mother of seven and a very caring wife to Top Marks. She was also a kind, gentle woman who would put the needs of others ahead of her own needs."

Comet Tail was trying his hardest not to cry. He buried his face in Shooting Star's chest to muffle the noises he was making. His older brother had his hand on his shoulder to try to soothe him.

"She's in a better place now," he said softly.

"I guess," sighed Comet, "but aside from you, she was the only one not to forget about me."

"I'll see if I can have a word with them," said Shooting Star, "once the minister's finished, of course."

After a while, Mystic Light's body was then taken to a crematory to be burnt. Comet asked to keep her ashes in an urn so that she'd always be with him in spirit. After being told how much his mother meant to Comet, the minister agreed.

"Thanks," said Comet. "It means a lot to me."

"You're welcome, dear boy," said the minister.

So once Mystic Light was cremated, her ashes were put in an urn and handed to Comet Tail.

"I'll find a place to preserve you, mom," he said. "I promise."

When the family returned home, Comet Tail decided to put the urn under a family photo hanging in the living room.

"What are you doing?" asked one of Comet's sisters, Cayenne.

"Putting mom's urn in a place we'll always notice," said Comet Tail. "That way, it's like she's still alive and will always be with us. Why? Is something wrong?"

"I was just curious," said Cayenne.

"Couldn't we have put it on a shelf where we're unlikely to knock it over by mistake?" asked Electric Sky, another sister of Comet Tail, and Lyra's twin.

"Show the guy a little respect," said another of Comet's brothers.

"Thanks, Rare Find," said Comet.

Just then, their father spoke up.

"Could I have some alone time with the urn?" he asked.

"Erm, sure," said Comet. He and his six brothers and sisters left the room. Top Marks held the urn gently in his arms as tears started to roll down his cheeks.

"Mystic," he said quietly, "you didn't deserve this fate. It should have been me to die in that fire, not you. I will try to honor the promise I made."

Just as he set the urn back where it was, he noticed Shooting Star walking up to him.

"Father?" the oldest son asked.

"Yes, Shooting Star?"

"It's about Comet Tail," said Shooting Star.

"What about him?"

"Are you and the others ever going to stop treating him like he's invisible?" demanded Shooting Star. "Mom and I have been sick and tired of it."

"He isn't of my blood, Shooting Star."

"I don't want to hear your excuses!" roared Shooting Star, grabbing his father by the throat and pushing his head into a wall.

"Shooting Star, what on earth-" Top Marks began.

"It doesn't matter that Comet Tail is not of your blood," said Shooting Star. "He is a human being and he deserves to be treated like he exists. The only ones smart enough to treat him with attention and kindness are me and mom. And after all, if he was born from Mystic Light, I am nevertheless proud to call him my brother."

Top Marks said nothing, but he could understand what Shooting Star was talking about. And with that, Shooting Star let go of his father, and both men went to the join the rest of the family.

APRIL 26, 2010

Before long, spring break was over and the children were going back to school.

"Hey there, Comet," said Vincent when he, Twilight and Sunset noticed him. "Are you feeling better?"

"A bit," said Comet Tail.

"Is your family gonna be better to you?" asked Twilight.

"I'm hoping so," said Comet. "They did want to know me during spring break, so maybe that's a start."

"That's good to hear," said Vincent.

"We told some of our friends about what happened," said Sunset. "Many of them wish to tell you that they're sorry about what happened to your mom."

"Thanks," said Comet Tail.

"Song Cue heard as well," Sunset added.

"Song Cue?" asked Twilight. "Who's that?"

"We never told them about her, did we?" asked Vincent to Sunset.

"I don't think so," said Sunset.

"What's she like, if you don't mind us asking?" said Comet.

"She's around our age range," explained Vincent, "indigo hair, purple eyes, loves singing."

"She sounds nice," said Comet. "D'you think I'll ever meet her some day?"

"I hope so," said Vincent. "In fact, I'd say you've got a bit of a crush on her."

"Don't be silly," said Comet, blushing a bit. "Besides, how could I have a crush on Song Cue if I don't even know her? I don't think we're even in the same school!"

"Relax, Comet," said Sunset. "Vincent's just teasing you."

"Well, it wasn't funny," protested Comet.

"C'mon, man, I'm just trying to lighten the mood a bit," said Vincent. And on that note, they set off for class. However, something was on Comet's mind.

Song Cue, he thought, that sounds like a very lovely name... A blush and a smile came to his face as he envisioned the girl in his mind.

FOOTNOTES

Barring Mystic Light, all of Comet Tail's family (including Comet himself) consist of background unicorns; Top Marks (born early 1960s) is one of the judges from The Cutie Mark Chronicles, Shooting Star (1987) has his unicorn form from Sweet and Elite, Rare Find (1990) is the first pony whose magic Lord Tirek steals in the first part of Twilight's Kingdom, Cayenne (1992) is the posh pony from Canterlot Boutique who rejects the changes made to her dress, Neon Lights (1993) is often popularized as Vinyl Scratch's boyfriend, Electric Sky and Lyra Heartstrings (both 1995) share the same design, hence they're twins, and then there's Comet himself (1997).