For the first time, Starlight doubted her cause.

It shouldn't have meant anything. It didn't mean anything. But it still hurt to look at.

Ripstop had given up his cutie mark willingly. Starlight had been the one to hesitate, not him. And now she stood before the vault, hours later.

She stared at the image of a kite, frozen in crystal. Not her own and not tied to her in any way, but still achingly reminiscent of distant foalhood memories.

And Starlight Glimmer wondered, just for a moment. Was this all worth it?

Author's Note

November 2024 - That Last Lingering Shred of Hope

And it took honorable mention that month!