The Search for Light: Finding New Hope.

Chapter 14: Senary.

(The next morning. Back in Canterlot.)

This is. . . . Awkward to say the least. Six old, and six new. All sitting together, in a big gathering room back at canterlot. Celestia had planned for all of us to get together and. . Just talk. Just be friends. And to see if the current bearers can sense the new ones. To be fair, it could be worse. No one has started a fight. But it seems Blade wants to fight somepony. Fluttershy is chatting with Star. Midnight seems to, sorta, get along with Rainbow. Or at least, it seems they don't hate each other. Though I’m pretty sure they have already had five races around the castle. Double and Pinkie are just sitting and staring at each other. Freakin love birds. I’m sitting trying, and failing,  to make conversation with Twi, Applejack, and Rarity. Stella is just sitting away from everypony.

Yeah. Could be worse. “This isn’t getting us anywhere.” Blade finally shouts out. Everyone looks to him. “You bring us here, saying we have an important destiny. . And now we just sit and talk?” He. . . He does have a point. I decide to speak up. “He’s right. This is important .We can’t just sit here and talk. We need to try to make progress.” Twilight nods as well. “We have made some. I can tell that you are linked to the elements. But, pegging down which one of you is which is harder. It has to be done through action.”

“Well. Lets have a Elements gathering picnic party!” Pinkie calls out, Double wincing from her choice of volume. “Really. Pinkie. A party?” Twilight says as she looks to Pinkie. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”  I hear Midnight say. “We are all tensed, and stressed. Some food and relaxation would help everypony.” I look around to everypony. All of them giving slight nods of agreement. Save Blade, who could care less. And Stella who is. . . Yep still sitting far away from everypony. “Well. Lets go.”

Rainbow and Midnight rush out of the room. Fallowed by Star, Blade quickly following her. Double and Pinkie walk out with each other next.  Fluttershy leaves with Rarity and Applejack. “You coming?” Twilight asks me. I give a nod, and point to Stella. “Go ahead.” She smiles and walks out as well. I fly over to Stella, coming up right next to her. “Hey. You ok? You seemed really happy last night.” She sniffs slightly. “Y-yeah I’m fine. . . It’s just. I finally got my mother back, but then had to leave her.” Ahh, that makes sense. I wrap a hoof around Stella. “Well, hey. Let’s go have a picnic.” She looks up to me. With a small smile and a nod, we both walk out together.

Not surprisingly, by the time me and Stella reach the others, on top of a big hill overlooking a large field right outside of the castle, a picnic is already set up. It still seems that everypony is doing there own thing. This time, Rainbow and Midnight are having some kind of eating challenge. Blade is leaning back against a tree, constantly watching Star, who is down by a pond with Fluttershy and Rarity. Everypony else is sitting on a small blanket, chowing down on the food. Once we reach them, Stella heads to the other side of the tree, away from everypony. I sigh and sit across from Twilight. “Well. We tried.” I give a shrug and a chuckle. “Oh really? I don’t think you tried at all.” Blade calls over to me. “I was kidding.” I call back to him. He just grunts and goes back to watch Star. He must really care for her.

Pinkie keeps looking over at me. She stands up, and walks to me. Pulling me aside. “Woah. What?” I ask as I am dragged away. Apparently no pony  finds this weird. I sigh, and once she’s done dragging me I sit there. Waiting for her to speak or something. “Well?” I ask with a wave of my hoof. She stares a moment longer, then nods. “Oh yeah. Just give it time. It didn’t take a day, you know?” I shake my head. “Please elaborate.” She giggles. “Funny word. . .Oh, but Twilight and us. We didn’t become instant friends that one night we discovered the Elements. It took us a bit. Finally, I dragged them all to a day picnic party like this. So we could bond in the sunlight. Find things that we had in common. That’s when our friendship really began.” I nod slowly. “So what are you saying? Find out what we have in common during a. . . Day picnic party like this?” She shakes. . .And nods her head, making this weird swirling motion. “Yes and no. Find out what you have in common. Yes. But. I don’t think that the day is one of those things.”

With that, she walks back to the picnic, me flying slowly behind. For a silly mare like her, she does have a lot of wisdom. I smile. And the day goes by. Slowly but surely. Soon, as the sun starts setting, the old six pack up and head out. “Well, Silver? Why are we still here? Why didn’t we accomplish anything?” I give a shrug. “Questions I can’t answer. But. I like the night. It reveals the vast, expansive sky. I think it’s something we all like.” Soon, five of us are gathered on the cold blanket. Star sits close to me, almost leaning against me. I feel a glare coming from Midnight, but I am too afraid to look. “Hey Stella. Come over here.” I call to her. She shifts slowly, coming from behind the tree, and plopping herself down on the blanket.

“Do you two have to be so close?” Midnight asks. “What?” I turn to her, and she is just staring at me. “You two. You’re so close. It’s annoying. Since you aren't even going out.” Why would she. . . Oh. . .Oh no. “Oh. My bad.” Star says and slides away from me slightly. “I’m going to the pond. I love the night sky reflection.” With that, Star gets up, and heads down to the pond. “I’m going with her.” Double says, and follows behind her. Stella heads back to her side of the tree. Midnight turns away, and takes off. “Gonna fly for a bit.” Somehow, this is perfect. “Blade.” I look to him. He looks at me. “I know you love Star. But, you can’t be so clingy. That can only make her grow away from you. And. . Trust me, losing a sibling is hard.”

He laughs slightly. “I wish that were true. .” He chuckles again. “What, you don’t love her?” He blushes slightly. “No. I love her a lot. I just wish I didn’t.” Does he mean? I let him keep speaking for himself. Don’t make assumptions now, Silver. “I’ve always loved her. Since we were young. That’s why I want to protect her. I don’t want to see her hurt again. I wish we were siblings. . . “ He says quietly at the end. “Huh? I thought you were. White said that. . “ She never said that they were related. “White said what?” He asks. “She said that she cared for you, since your parents passed. I guess she never said you were related.”

He nods. “Yeah. I wish we were siblings, like she thinks we are. If we were, then I can’t love her like I do. I hate keeping this lie.” I tilt my head slightly. “Then why do you?” He smiles. “Well. Because I care for her. Whether she thinks of me as her brother, or more. I will always care for her. I’ve never told her a lie. Or any other pony. I always speak my mind. Even though it gets me in trouble sometimes. But. Sometimes you have to hurt ponies with the truth. Even the ponies you care for.” Honesty. We look each other in the eyes, and I see a flash of white travel through them. I pull my hooves across my lips. “I won’t say anything. That is up to you.”

He nods. “Hey, Silver.” I look at him again. “Yeah?” He smirks. “For a short stack, your pretty cool.” At least I can trust his words. “Back at ya, brick wall.” We laugh a little. Double comes back up. Smiling slightly. “What has you grinning?” He points down at Star. She is leaning in, muzzle almost touching the water. I start chuckling, and so does Blade. Soon we are all laughing. “Star is interesting, to say the least.” I say and glance at Blade, getting a nod from him. “I’m going to go talk to her.” I excuse myself from them, and walk down to her.

“Hey there. Star.” She pulls herself up, glancing in my direction. “Oh. Hey Silver.” We sit in silence for a long moment. “I-I have something to tell you.” She starts, and glances around my face, finding my eyes. “Star. You don’t have to. . “ She cuts me off, putting her hoof to my mouth. “Shh. My turn.” She pauses for a moment. “I was talking to Rarity. About love. And I think that. . . I can’t love you.” I was afraid of this. “Star. I can’t. . . . .What?” Did she say. . “Let me explain. I’ve lived a hard life. Since my eyes. But, I’ve made it harder on myself. I’ve always lived my life for others. I’m put other’s needs before mine. Because, I want to see them happy. But. But, after talking with Rarity. I learned that being selfish to myself for this long, will only hurt.”

“She’s learned a balance. She knows how much she can give. And how much she needs to keep. I will learn that balance too.” Generosity. Star and me lock eyes again. I see a flash of that murky blue color travel through her eyes. “I see. Oh well. Looks like my chances are gone.” I give a forced chuckle. Star chuckles then walks back up to the others. “Yesh. Tough. Sorry to hear that.” I flinch backwards, and look up, to see Midnight floating there. “How long have you. . .” I let out a sigh. “It dosen’t matter. What do you want?”  She sets herself down on the ground. “Jeez. Just trying to console a broken heart.” She says teasingly, and I reach my hoof out, punching her lightly. She punches me back, and we laugh a little.

“I know what it’s like though. It’s tough.” I give her a confused look. “Love. It’s a weird thing. Like Star, said though. You need to know how much to give and keep. . .” I nod slowly. Midnight lays on her back, and looks up into the sky. I lay down, our manes brushing slightly. I can feel the heat of her head, just mere inches from mine. “I’m the same way. I like everypony. But, sometimes it’s hard. They just all get on your nerves. But, I can always keep that. . Hate hidden in me. But, sometimes it just bursts out.” I chuckle. “Yeah. I know.” She chuckles a little as well. “So I learned how to direct my hate where, and when, it’s needed. So I can be nice to everypony else. I hate hate. Such a nasty word.” Kindness. we both flip around slightly, facing each other while laying on our sides. I see a flash of gold travel through her eyes.

We lean in slowly, drawing closer. “Hey Silver?” I nod slowly, as we keep getting near each other. “Yeah, Aegis?” She suddenly pulls away, getting onto her hooves again. “I think we should head back. . . And. . And. .  I like you.” She adds that last part swiftly, and quietly. But I still hear it. She flies away. I smile and fly up to the rest. All of them are laughing, save Stella who is still on the other side. “How did you do that? With no magic?” I hear Blade ask. I smile as I see that smirk that Double always get’s when he performs. “Ah. A great magician never reveals his tricks.” I smirk. Maybe I should? Yeah, I should. I glance at the cards he’s holding. And  I smile.

“Oh, its quite simple.” I start out, Double rushes towards me, but I just hold him back with one hoof. “Don’t you dare Silver.” He lights up his horn, the soft white glow lighting the area. “Double, I wasn’t gonna. . “ It’s too late, and my pleas don't reach him. And now, I’m falling right towards the pond. I unfurl my wings, and fly back to the Blanket. “Dude. Not. Cool.” He chuckles and shrugs. “Sorry. I meant to make your mouth disappear, but I panicked.” So he teleports ponies to near death when panicked. I will remember that. “I wasn’t going to say anything. Even though I do know all your old tricks like that one.” He nods and smiles.

“Yeah. You remember this deck, right?” He holds it in his glow. The familiar white loops and swirls on the red back. “Your fathers. He gave it to you?” He nods. “Yeah. When I earned my cutie mark. the day before you left to go to the trainee camp. The day that. . . “ He sniffs a little, tears filling his eyes. “Woah, Double, are you ok?” He nods. “Yeah. It’s just that day. I almost lost her.” Her. Oh he must mean. . “Double.” I say. He sniffs a little more. “She was dying. And I couldn't do anything. Nothing at all.  I only just sat there by her bed. Crying. Hat Trick. No pony knew what was wrong with her. She just went to sleep, and couldn't wake back up. Nothing worked. . .But then.” He sniffs more. “I tried something. I just started telling my favorite jokes. Ones our father would tell. I felt her move. Felt her warm up. I started crying more.” tears are streaming down his face. These are tough memories for him. “And. . . She spoke. ‘Why aren't you laughing?’ She said. I couldn't tell her why. But I knew. I knew that sometimes you just have to cry before you can get yourself, and others, laughing.” Laughter. . . Should have been obvious. He looks up to me, and we stare at each other. I see that flash of orange travel through his eyes.

We all sit in silence for a moment. “Thank you. Silver.” Double says. Then Star. Then Blade, and Midnight. Double keeps speaking. “You’ve turned your back on others. But, you have always kept true to your friends. You know where your loyalties lie.” I feel a spark in myself. And, like the others, a purple flash travels through my eyes. “Thank you guys as well. . .” We all stop, and look to the tree. “One more.” I say. And let out a sigh. Again. It should have been obvious. Magic was the most mysterious element, and Stella is the most mysterious mare. “Stella. We need you with us. We can’t do it without you.” Silence. Just the light breeze of the night. The sun has long since set. “No.” What? No? What does she mean by no? “Stella. We need you.” She sniffs, and comes out from behind the tree.

Her purple wings are spread wide. It was weird when we first saw them. But, it suits her. “I know you need me. But I can’t. These are wings. That’s all I have now. I’m cursed. I can’t be magic. There has to be another bearer out there.” We all shake our heads, and pull Stella into a group hug. “No. It can only be you.” I say. “You’re our friend.” Double brings up. “We’re family.” Blade and Star say. “And, we need you. Just as much as you need us.” Midnight finishes. “I’d help if I could. . . But, right now, with this curse. . . . I just can’t do anything.” She slips away from our hug, and we all sit, glancing between each other. “Stella.” I speak up first. “We don’t care. So what if you’re cursed? We’ll stay with you till we can break it.” She shakes her head. “Who knows how long that will take though?” She questions. She turns and faces us.

“By the time we find a way, it could be too late. Everything could be ending around us, with no way to stop it. I can’t live with that feeling, knowing that you guys could’ve moved on without me.” Blade hits the tree beside us. “Don’t you see Stella!? We can’t ‘move on’ without you. We are here together. With you. And we will be together with you until we stop this thing. After that, then you can be all alone and mopey. But you will always be our friend.” All of us are silent as we stare at Blade. “And, another thing, you still have magic. Even without a horn.” Stella sighs, and looks up to Blade. “Well? What magic do I have?” He smile, and glances between all of us. “You’re friends. You know. I didn’t believe it at first. I wanted to stay back in the Kingdom, and never leave. But, here I am. Why? Because I knew that it was something I had to do.”

“And, I even ended up liking all of you. You’re all great. And sure we’ll have our fights, but I know you guys are true friends. I’m glad I was forced to be here.” Stella jump up, taking off into the air. “I’m sorry. . . I just can’t. Not right now.” With that she takes off. Midnight is about to go after her, but I stop her. “No. Let her go. She needs to vent.” We all are left to watch, as Stella’s form soon fades into the dark night sky. We are all left, looking up at the sky, full of flickering and gleaming stars. “It’s a shame that people used to shun the night. It’s so beautiful.” Star says, her eyes slightly watery. “Luna does a good job at making it beautiful.” She sniff slightly, and lays down on the cold blanket.

We all lay down next to her. “I’m sure Princess Luna puts her all into making it. I think she is just trying to impress somepony.” We all give silent nods. “I hope she’ll be ok. All alone out there” I smirk, and turn to Star. “I’m sure she will be able to handle her self.” Star turns to me, tears still in the edges of her murky eyes. “I know that. But, a pony has a lot to think about when they’re all alone. What if she decides to never come back?” We all sit in silence after that question.

“She will.” Midnight states, in her matter-of-factly tone. “H-how are you so sure?” Star stutters out. “I’m not. Even though she doesn’t except our friendship, deep down she knows she needs it. That will always lead us back together. Our friendship.” She lets out a long sigh. Letting a wistful smile fill her face. “Also, whenever I fly, I think much clearer than I do normally. What about you Silver?” I give an affirmative nod. “Yeah. Flying always helps.”  Star lets out a long sigh. “But. . But what if it doesn’t help her? She isn’t a pegasus. . “ I cut her off. “No. She’s not. She is much more. She will be much more. She just need’s to see that her self. Worrying is not going to help. Let’s all just relax, and let her clear her mind.”