Off to a Rough Start

     After the summit, everyone headed toward the armory to prepare for their quest. Celestia told them that there was something important for each of them. Steel Mustang led Princess Luna and the five ponies to the armory. But Midnight had an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't take it anymore, so she pulled Luna aside.

     "Princess Luna, did you know about the gravity of this emergency?"

     "No, Midnight Spark. I am just as perplexed by this as you are. This is worse than I thought."

     "Of course it is! But why? Why did she want us to do this? We're just students. I'm not saying that it's a lost cause, but I'm not sure we're ready as a team."

     "Look at it this way. If this... Corrupt Island does have the power to leech the life out of Equestria, the princesses need to make sure order is maintained while you are off completing this task."

     "What about Twilight Sparkle and her friends? What about the Elements of Harmony?"

     "It is true. Twilight and her friends have control over the Elements of Harmony, but the Elements may not be useful in combating the magic of this cursed land. They can, instead, provide a protection to prevent the spread of such a scourge. Also, I know this might be a bit much, but I hope you can lead this team of ponies. Celestia believes that you have expressed a deep understanding of what I have taught you. You have potential, and this could be the means of finding it."

     "Lead this team? If we don't know each other well enough to work together, how exactly do you expect me to lead it. For me to lead them, I'd have to know them better, and I don't want to know some of them."

     "You're talking about Sunset Shimmer, aren't you? Please be cordial with her. If there's anything that I've learned about you, it's that you're very vindictive. Remember, friendship can come from anywhere, but you have to be willing to accept a person's past. I know that she did some bad things, but Sunset Shimmer has changed; she isn't who she used to be. You have to forgive and let go, or these feelings could hinder you from completing your mission."

     "Okay, Princess. I'll... try."

     "Thank you. And don't worry, you'll be fine Midnight. Besides, Steel Mustang will be there to protect you and guide you, if you need help. Now let's hurry, everypony will be wondering where we went."

                                    * * *

     They arrived at the armory, only to find it locked.

     "How are we going to get in?" Starry Skies asked Steel Mustang.

     "This special armory has a magical lock that opens every hour on the hour, child. We'll just wait here; it'll open in a moment. Luna you should go, Celestia wanted to speak to you."

     "Very well Steel Mustang, remember what I said Midnight." Midnight Spark nodded and Luna walked away.

     Luna left the ponies alone. Steel Mustang stood near the door. Midnight retracted herself from the group to think. The two pegasi were whispering to each other. For a group that's supposed to work together, they were all apart. Midnight was still finding it hard to believe that they were to take on a force of immeasurable evil, but she had to continue searching for a way to unite these ponies under her. She looked up and saw the first step to her solution. Starry Skies. The little filly's vivacious personality lashed out to others, making them want to be friendly. Her little sister began a conversation with Sunset Shimmer. Despite her feelings, she allowed it. Midnight decided to take advantage of the situation and listen in.

     "So you're Sunset Shimmer, right? I'm Starry Skies, one of Princess Luna's students. I'm from Manehattan. Where are you from? How did you get here? I came here on a carriage. Are you Princess Twilight's student?"

     "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down dear, one question at a time."

     Midnight smirked and waited to see what would happen next.

     "Okay, let me start over." Starry Skies took a deep breath and then exhaled. "I'm Starry Skies."

     "Hello, Starry Skies. I'm Sunset Shimmer."

     "I came here from Manehattan with my sister, Midnight Spark. We're both students of Princess Luna."

     "Really? Manehattan... interesting. I'm from Canterlot, and yes, I am Princess Twilight's student."

     Twilight's student. Twilight's student? Midnight thought about it. Why would Twilight choose to take Sunset Shimmer under her wing? That no good pony tried to dismantle the Elements of Harmony! Midnight's anger just sparked. She kept listening to the conversation.

     "Wait. You said you're from Canterlot, but you were late. How is that?"

     "I was with Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville. She lives there."

     "Oh, okay. And when did you become Twilight's student?"

     Midnight couldn't restrain herself any longer.

     "Yes, when DID you become Princess Twilight's student? When and why? Why you? I figured you'd be the last pony Princess Twilight would teach, considering what you've done."

     Midnight walked up and continued glaring at Sunset Shimmer. Sunset Shimmer, taken aback by this, was trying to think of something to say.

     "T-that was a long time ago. I didn't think-"

     "What? You didn't think anyone would remember?"

     "Midnight stop!" shouted Starry Skies

     "Or did you just think that what you did wasn't that bad? The thief of an Element of Harmony, threatening to not only disrupt order in Equestria, but also to rule over it by overthrowing Celestia. Don't make me laugh."

     “That’s enough, Midnight Spark.” interrupted Steel Mustang.

     Now Sunset Shimmer was no longer reeling back. She had found her voice, as well as her anger.

     “I've changed Midnight, I’m not who I used to be. Twilight took me under her wing because she knew that I could be better. The real question is why Luna chose you. You aren't special.”

     “She chose me because… because…”

     “Face it. She chose you because there wasn't a more pathetic unicorn in all of Equestria.”

     “Lies!”

     “I think not. From what I hear, your little sister is more talented than you. Luna only teaches you because you’re Starry Skies’s sister and you two are inseparable. If you weren't, she wouldn't have even bothered to know your name.”

     That was it, the crushing blow. Midnight couldn't believe that she actually believed Sunset. Was what she said true? I didn't matter, she could no longer fight the tears streaming down her face. She had to leave, immediately.

     “You know what? I don’t need this!!! Let someone else do this, I’m out of here.”

     "Midnight, wait!" pleaded Starry Skies

     Midnight stormed into the dark with tears in her eyes and Starry Skies on her tail. Sunset Shimmer stared angrily after Midnight Spark, but as her anger began to subside, she glanced around. Starry Skies came back slowly. She was out of breath and crying. It was clear that she couldn't catch up to Midnight Spark. The look that Steel Mustang cast at Sunset Shimmer was full of castigation as he tried to comfort Starry Skies. The black pegasus was sitting with a very disapproving expression on his face. The other pegasus just looked staggered by the events that had just unfolded in front of her. She flew off with the most confounded look on her face. Realization began to sink in, as the biting comments flew around in her head. Midnight was gone, and the others resented her. She had just made new enemies. Sunset had to fix this, but where would she start. She clearly had to begin with Starry Skies. The real question was, "How?".

     “Starry Skies, I’m so sor-”

     “D-d-don’t talk to me. I c-can’t believe you’d say those things! Y-you’re awful, j-j-just awful!”

     “Mustang, you have to believe me! I didn't-”

     “That was over the line. I was prepared to address Midnight Spark for her remarks, but you completely undermined me. Even worse, you might have just disbanded this team. You have a lot to think about, Sunset.”

     Steel Mustang walked with Starry Skies into the gardens. Sunset turned to the black pegasus. He gave her a blank stare. It took him a minute to put the some words together.

     “Man… just… wow.”

     That was all that he could say. He then turned to look to the other pegasus, but she was already gone. He took off without another word, probably to search for his companion. Now alone, Sunset Shimmer was left to think. She had had some bad times, but she had never felt more alone in her life.

                                    * * *

     Midnight Spark walked down the darkened streets of Canterlot. She played back the argument with Sunset Shimmer over and over in her head. Her words ripped into Midnight like bullets, leaving her more than disheartened. She was devastated by it. She just couldn't handle all of these feelings, so she sat down on a bench and started to cry.

     "Why me?" she cried, "Why do I stuck dealing with this? Why... why did Luna choose me?"

     She couldn't believe what she was saying. Midnight had begun to doubt herself! Maybe she wasn't the right person for this job. Maybe Sunset Shimmer was right...

     "Midnight?"

     "Huh?"

     Midnight lifted her head and found herself face to face one of the pegasi from the summit.

     "Do you want to talk about it?" asked the pegasus sincerely.

     "Talk about what? There's nothing wrong." persisted Midnight.

     "C'mon Midnight. If there wasn't anything wrong, would you be sitting here and crying?"

     "Okay." she took a deep breath, "It's just... difficult, having so much responsibility. So much is expected of you and you don't want to let anyone down. But I don't think I can do this."

     "It does seem like a lot, but I believe the Princesses chose you to do this for a reason. They see something in you, and that's all that matters. You shouldn't let anyone tell you different, not even Sunset Shimmer."

     "Sure, that's easy for you to say. You don't have the weight of Equestria riding on your shoulders."

     "But I do, Midnight. We all do. When we accepted this mission, we took it upon ourselves to carry the same weight you do. It is true that you are expected to lead us, but you need to stop seeing us as kids that need babysitting.”

     “I don’t!”

     “Yes you do. I see it in your eyes… I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you will stop worrying about us, we can take care of ourselves and help you. Also, I want you to stop being so hard on yourself. You have so much to offer, but you have to be willing to take on this difficult task and not doubt yourself.”

     “I…”

     “Promise me.”

     “Okay. I promise.”

     “Thank you, Midnight.”

     “No, thank you. It was great to talk to someone. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come along. By the way, I didn’t get your name.”

     “It’s Dusklight Dancer. Now come on, we need to get back to the armory.”

     The two ponies started toward the armory. Midnight couldn’t explain it, but this pony had something about her, something that made Midnight want to be friendly. She somehow gave off a warm feeling of friendship. Dusklight Dancer was the key. If Dusklight could make her feel that warmth, maybe she could make the other ponies feel it. Only one way to find out. Finally, a glimpse of light on this journey that was already off to a rough start.