Hey guys. Sorry, this one is a little shorter. I have ideas for the next ones and… they just wouldn't fit here. But don't worry. The next one is already on the way and will be delivered shortly.
Also sorry this chapter took so long, but I needed to think through the story and characters. God, I prepared so many of them… I had to make myself extra notes just to keep track. XD
I should have everything ready, at least for now. So now I will focus on putting it all together into a story.

Have fun!

Can this truly be real? I… nobody… can I truly become a princess of this kingdom?

But more than that… can I truly accept Queen Bloom as my mother? Can my heart accept that?
No… that's not the right question. I already know my heart can. She has been nothing but kind to me. The true question is… can my mind accept the truth and see that kindness.

Minutes after our introduction, I was sitting on the edge of the fountain again. Three of us were just chatting. Altair was 8, almost 9, was going to school and was being trained in magical arts as well as sword arts. His expertise was a longsword and he wielded light magic, just like his mom, Queen Stella of Solaria.

He also has a little brother Sirius, 6 years old. He couldn't come because of some fever.

Right now, Altair was telling us a story from school "… and when she opened the case, the paint exploded right into her face."

We all laughed really hard. It was about a bully girl and how he and a few more kids prepared a prank to take down her ego. They planted a small firecracker with magical paint into a case of her violin. When she opened it to show herself before the entire classroom, firecracker exploded and threw paint into her face.

"And what did she look like then?" Alessa asked through her laughs.

"Her skin turned pink, her eyes got real big and horn grew from her forehead. She looked just like a pony from that cartoon from Earth." He replied.

We all were laughing, although in my case… I was pretty much just giggling. I had my eyes closed from the laughter, smile from ear to ear and just kept on giggling.

"Yeah." He continued "By Dragon did she throw a tantrum. But enough about me."

He looked at me "Starsha, why don't you say something about yourself?"

"There's not much to say." I sighed, still chuckling a little,

"So why don't you say how you got here?" he asked.

"Mom brought her home on a very lightly night." Alessa jumped in "It was raining and it was loud outside."

"Thunderstorm… wow." He said, "Lucky aunt Bloom took you in."

I looked down a little. I felt kinda out of place "Yeah. But… I don't get why."

"Why what?" he asked. Both were looking at me carrying curious, concerned and confused.

"I don't know why she took me in."

There was brief silence. I heard shuffling and before I knew it, Alessa placed her hand on mine "So we could be sisters."

Kinda blunt… but then again she wasn't that type of person who would think before acting.

Altair chuckled "Aunt Bloom is the nicest person in the universe. Let me ask you. Do you like it here?" I nodded "Do you like Alessa?" I nodded "Do you like Bloom?" again… I nodded.
"Do you wish to return to the streets?" I shook my head "Then what's the problem? You have been given chance others cannot even dream of. Are you going to deny yourself happiness just because it comes from an unexpected place?"

I was looking down, my head rushing through many thoughts. But then… out of the blue, Alessa held my hand with both her hands and raised it up. I looked her way… and saw only a smile, sincere, happy smile. She looked into my eyes and said "Starsha… let's be sisters, OK?"

That moment… something deep inside of me broke. It was like… I cannot really describe it. Imagine yourself in a giant dark room. In the distance, you see the area covered in light and people in it. You scream, kick and run, but no matter how loud you are, how fast and long you run… you never come an inch closer and nobody sees you. But then… a path of light opens before you, you feel something pulling you forward, to others. Those people suddenly do not just stand there… they are waiting for you. You run… and they are closer. You run… and before you know it… you are in their embrace, swimming in light just as they are.

I felt tears rushing from my eyes. I wasn't sad… I was happy. Yes… that's the feeling I felt earlier… happiness, love. It was warm deep inside my heart. I smiled and with a single word… all darkness from my mind was pushed away "Yes."

And so… it happened. It's truly an indescribable feeling… to be welcomed somewhere after your entire life… you were rejected.

Alessa moved closer to hug me tight. I hugged her back, shedding tears of joy.

After a few seconds, Altair stepped before me and crouched down to be at my height. With a smile and pat on the head, he said "Then let me be the first to welcome you to our big happy family. If you will ever need anything, you can count on me."

He stood up and pointed proudly at his chest, his heart. Alessa was right… he was a really cool guy. Caring, protective and friendly.

"You can count on all of us." We all turned to see Queen Stella in her stylish white and yellow gown and Bloom walking towards us. Stella was waving "Hey Alessa, long time no see."

"Hi auntie." She gave her a nice smile, but… aside from that, she did not move. I expected her to rush to hug Stella, but… she just sat there, holding my hand.

"And you must be Starsha." Stella crouched down before me "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too your highness." I bowed my head.

"Oh so well mannered." She patted my head "You're a sweetie, but we do not do such titles in our big family. Just call me auntie."

"Alright… auntie." I gave her a nice happy, although shy smile. She was so nice. She was just radiating with a gentle warm aura.

"Aww." She hugged me "You're such a cutie. But…" she grabbed my shoulders and looked into my eyes, "I think there's someone else you should talk to." She stepped aside, allowing me to see Bloom right behind her.

Bloom… she was smiling… so gently, so nicely. It was no ordinary smile… this was a smile of a happy mother. One that sees her daughter right before her and awaits that single sentence… that single word.

Doubts entered my mind. But… for only a second. I guess… that's why Alessa was still holding my hand. She was that pillar, that unmoving support I needed to finally break through.

I saw myself in darkness. I was trying to swim in it and above me was icy barrier that I needed to break through. I was too weak… too doubtful. My past… my mind was pulling me down. Dark arms reaching for me from deaths. But… there was something. I saw an outline of Bloom on the other side of ice… but I couldn't swim up to her.

But then… the ice broke and through it came two pairs of hands. Through holes in it came Alessa and Altair. They grabbed me by my hands and began pulling up… up to the icy barrier. Finally, I swung my wings and with a mighty punch… I broke through that barrier.

"Hi… mommy." With a smile… that was all that was needed.

Bloom went down on her knees, took my hand and pulled me into a gentle hug "Welcome home… Starsha."

I felt as Alessa joined in on our hug "It's great to have a sister."

I am not sure how long we were there… but I have loved every second of it. For the first time… I actually had a family. Someone who loved me… someone who helped my break that ice wall surrounding my heart.

Maybe… I can finally accept there is light in the universe.

However… light does not come without dark. Just as I was finally starting to accept the feelings of others for me… something else was approaching.

A sinister force beyond all imagination. Something out of old, now forgotten ages.

In shadows, it lurked, dark cape, hidden in black mist. Only red eyes shined through. A devilish voice spoke and all life around trembled.

"Did you find her?"

"No, my lord. Her light seems to have gotten even brighter. We cannot see her clearly."

The growling of wild dogs sounded through the empty halls. Shadows were moving in the mist.
"Her light is supposed to be extinguished. How is that possible?"

"I don't know my lord. Something good must've happened to her. Something… that reignited her hope."

A loud sound of a hand hitting something hard echoed "Who dares defy me!?"

"Sir… I'm afraid it has something to do with Dragon Flame. It gains power in her light."

"Dragon Flame?! Some fairy dares to defy me, the lord of Darkness!? They will pay! Nobody shall stand between me and my prey."

"Sir… please restrain yourself."

"You… you dare as well?!"

"No, sir. But please, you know we cannot reach her with her radiance."

"Yes." A sigh could be heard "We must be patient. We have waited for so long. Now we finally have a chance. We must not haste it. Send a minion. Let's see just how formidable they are. Let us enjoy the hunt."

Who are these dark mysterious people?
Will Sky and his son accept Starsha into the family as well?
Can Starsha's heart truly be healed?

Stay tuned to find out more. XD