Chapter 2: Growth.

Days passed quickly by. Weeks faded to Months. Starlight began to recover, and had began a new life with Aloe. His determination grew with the changing seasons, each day filling him with more confidence, driven on by what he could only call his mother... Aloe had become nothing less than a parent to him.

As the months began to fade to years, Starlight quickly began to grow. His body began to change, his legs stronger than they had ever been, his wings lengthening, his feathers soft, yet rigid for flight.
He was still a colt, however, but he was certainly bigger.

It was a cool Autumn morning. Starlight rolled out of his all-too familiar bed, woken by the sound of Aloe calling his name. "Ugh... Coming mom!" he called down, yawning heavily and spreading his wings. It had only been a couple of months since he had learned to fly, thanks to a couple classmates of his at summer flight camp, but he felt like he had known forever. He lightly lifted off his hooves, floating downstairs, his mane and tail a total mess.

"Starlight! How many times have I told you, no flying inside! ...and comb down your mane!" The pegasus frowned, landing on his hooves and tucking his wings in. "Oh mom, come on. I'm careful! I haven't broken anything this week, and hey, whats the point? It just gets messy again anyway, and it's a waste of time!" Aloe simply sighed, shaking her head. "That's not the point. I don't want you getting hurt, and our house isn't that big, you know that. I swear, your wingspan gets longer everyday, Star..." The pegasus blushed a little, chuckling. "Y-you think so? I mean.. Yeah, totally! I'm getting strong!" He grinned, walking over to Aloe and nuzzling her cheek. "...Ugh. Why can't I ever stay mad at you, Star?" "Because you love me, mom." Starlight just chuckled, settling down to his breakfast.

A few minutes passed as he ate his breakfast, and as he finished, Aloe nudged him, pointing toward the door. "Alright you, get going! You don't want to be late for school." He lowered his head, trodding the ground, and then quickly holding his stomach, making obviously fake moans of sickness. "U-um.. Urg! Ohh... My stomach hurts so bad... What did you feed me?" He looked to Aloe, who was clearly unimpressed. "Oh really? Then Maybe I'll have to get out the herbs again." His eyes went wide, jumping from the table. "Nonono! Don't!" Aloe smirked. "Thought so. Why don't you want to go to school, Star?"

The pegasus looked down. "...the rest of the class has... and I..." Aloe sighed a bit. "Star, hun, we've been over this. Just because you don't have your cutie mark yet doesn't mean anything. I was older than you when I got mine. You can't let them pressure you." Starlight huffed softly, stomping his hooves. "But it's just not fair! Everyone else is so cool with theirs! I mean... You remember that really big rainbow I told you about? Dash did that! That's when she got hers! Even Fluttershy has hers, and she barely does anything! She got hers at flight camp too, obviously she can talk to animals, or something!" He whined a little. "I just don't get why everyone has a special talent but me."

Aloe sighed a bit, trotting over and placing a hoof on his shoulder. "When the time is right, you'll know what your purpose in life is, and no matter what it is, I'll be happy for you, and support you." Starlight just looked down. "Now go. I don't want you late again! I've had enough visits from your teacher because of your tardiness! You're a fast flier, so hurry up!" She grabbed his bag in her teeth, nudging him out the door with her horn and tossing the bag next to him. Starlight yelped and turned back as he was forcibly ejected from the house, Aloe looking back with a smile. "Love you, Star. Be safe." The pegasus grumbled. "Love you too, mom.", before taking off, making a bee-line for the school.

Days began to fade again, twisting into weeks, and months... Starlight grew into a healthy young stallion. His legs, strong and thick from hours of activity, his eyes sharp and quick, able to spot things easily from a distance. His wings were several feet in span now, full and broad. They could be as soft as his feathers, or as rigid as steel when he was diving through a cloud. His deep blue mane was as messy as ever, but noticably longer, his mane coming down easily to the bridge of his nose. He was a prime specimen of a pegasus, one that anypony would wish to be like... except for one thing.

"Rave, dude, you've gotta be kidding me. You still haven't got that thing?"

Starlight growled lightly as his old pegasus friend, Full Throttle, a red pegasus with black markings and a firebolt cutie mark whipped a frisbee through the air to him. He caught the frisbee, his wings shooting him upwards. "I told you! I don't even care anymore! I live my life how I want to, not by some stupid marking!" He whipped the frisbee downward, it sailing through the air at a wicked speed, Throttle barely dodging it.

"Whoaaa, man! Chill out! I was just asking, bro." Starlight and Throttle flew down to the ground, landing. Starlight just shook his head. "Look. It's not even important anymore, Throttle. When and if I ever get the buckin' thing, then I guess I'll have finally figured it out. Maybe I'm just stupid, like every other pony who's never got their cutie mark." Throttle shook his head and just shrugged. "Yeah yeah, Whatever Rave. Listen, Pinkie's throwing another party today, go figure, right?" Starlight shrugged. "what about it? You know I'm always there." Throttle shook his head. "Uh-uh. She asked me to ask you specifically if you would come and help with the music this time."

"She wants me to help AGAIN?" The pegasus just lightly covered his eyes with his hoof. "Why does she always want me to mess with the music?" Throttle shrugged a bit, and nudged Starlight playfully in the side. "I got no clue. I guess she likes your style." He smirked. "Maybe that's your special talent, Rave! She's the party pony, maybe you're destined to be her musical helper!" Starlight growled a bit as Throttle laughed and took off, avoiding the blue pegasus' hoof as it swung toward him. "Oh, shut up, Throttle, I've only done it a few times, because she needed help." He huffed a bit. "I'm not even that good. I just play what feels right... Just kinda comes to me, you know?" Throttle landed, pulling his wings in. "I dunno, Rave. Always sounds good to me. Besides... I think she likes you."

Starlight sighed a moment, and nodded. "Oh, fine then. Tell her I'll be over before the party to get everything ready, and that she better be happy I'm helping her out again." Throttle grinned. "Whooo! Rave and Pinkie, sitting in a tree... C-L-O-P-P-I-N-G!!" Starlight swung at him again, this time connecting, and pushing the other pegasus to the ground. "Shut the buck up, Throttle, or you're never gonna clop again." Throttle laughed as Starlight let him up. "I was just kidding! I gotcha, bro! I'll see you tonight!" The red and black pegasus flew off, and Starlight sighed. "Geez. Where does Pinkie get off, always asking me to cater to her parties..." He chuckled to himself. "Well.. at least she's cute."

Later that evening, Starlight was at home, getting things together for the upcoming party. Starlight looked to the door, and noticed a small, scribbled note had been slipped under it. He blinked a moment, picking it up and reading it. The reading was barely legible, like it had been written quickly, and it was in pink marker. "Huh... Pinkie moved the party to Sweet Apple Acres, instead..." He shrugged a little, crumpling up the note and tossing it aside. Aloe walked over to Starlight, and looked to him, her face worried. "You're going to Pinkie's again, aren't you?" Starlight stopped, and looked to her. "...Yeah. She wants me to work with the music for her party."

Aloe's ears dropped a little, and walked over, giving Starlight a little hug. "...Alright. I know you're sick of hearing this, but... Please be careful?" Starlight blinked and looked to her, returning the hug. "Mom. You're all I've had since as long as I can remember. I promise I'll be safe, like I've always been. It's just one of Pinkie's parties." Aloe smiled softly, kissing his cheek. "I just don't want you hurt again." Starlight pulled away from the hug after a moment and nodded. "I know." He gave her a soft hug again, and then waved a good bye as he hoisted his bag over his back, filled with various music and a few pieces of equipment. He opened the door, and it was dark out already. "Shoot. I'm going to be late." He closed the door and took off like a shot, tearing through the night sky.

Next Chapter: An Unexpected Party-Goer. ((GRIMDARK)) Estimated time remaining: 21 Minutes