Skylight's Story: Monster

Chapters

Ch1: The Deal
Ch2: Welcome to Ponyville
Ch3: I Can Explain
Ch4: The Same, But a Little Different
Ch5: A Change in the Game
Ch7: The Final Choice
Ch6: The Unfortunate Demise of Skylight Sparkle

Ch1: The Deal

Author's Note

Hello Shadowbolt Fans!

So, just a quick note for you guys: This story was originally created as a fun fan-fiction about 3 years ago made specifically for Instagram. (There's a huge RP MLP community on there! Check it out when you get the chance!)

The edits get a little better as the story progresses because, well, these were my first attempts at photoshop like ever, and honestly, they weren't really made to be viewed at this crazy size. (I have no idea how to make them smaller).

**As for context: THIS story takes place AFTER the (as of right now) unfinished SHADOWBOLTS: ORIGINS. And as far as regular continuity of the show, it takes place right after season 2, before season 3.

It's a little spoilery in that Skylight DOES eventually meet Fluttershy at the edge of the Everfree Forest in Shadowbolts: Origins, and I WILL get back to that story eventually.

But for now, please enjoy my first attempt at writing from a super long time ago!

Thanks!

-N.Arrow

Ch1: The Deal

Chapter One: The Deal

Skylight was flying through the Everfree Forest like usual. The same path she’d taken for years, zooming around trees and rocks; she knew this forest like the back of her hoof. It was great practice for the Shadowbolts. She needed agility, speed, and reaction time if she wanted to keep her status as the very best.

This time, however, something caught her eye. There was a large, elongated figure relaxing on a cloud. She stopped suddenly. Her hooves acting as brakes, kicked up a lot of dust and dirt. “Wow! what are you?” She asked the figure.

The large dragonnequis opened his eyes, and leaned forward. “What am I?” He held back a laugh, “What the... HahahAHhaa!! What are you!? You’re the strangest looking pony I’ve ever seen! And that’s saying something coming from me! HAhaHAH”

Skylight didn’t appreciate the response. It had been a while since she’d met anypony new and forgot about her... less than orthodox appearance.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up... just be careful around here, Everfree Forest can be dangerous at night..” She said, losing her interest in the figure due to his insulting laughter.

Discord was taken aback. Clearly, this little pegasus was not frightened by him. Then again, things just as crazy and sinister looking as he was were pretty commonplace in the Everfree Forest. “You’re-- heh. You’re telling ME to be careful? Oh young filly, you don’t know who I am do you? I’m Discord! Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony! And you are?”

Skylight stopped for a moment. She did love introducing herself. “I’m Skylight! Shadowbolt Extraordinaire!” She stood up proudly. Thinking of this as an opportunity to make a new friend, she opened up a bit more: “Wanna race, Mr. Discord? I’ll warn you though, I know this forest inside and out, and won’t go easy on you!”

“Race...? Haha, I already love this kid.” Discord snapped away his cloud hammock. “No, Skylight Shadowbolt Extraordinaire, I don’t want to race, but... hmm... something tells me you weren’t born looking like a Las Pegasus Hotel sign... In fact, I can see it now...” He framed her with his fingers and thumbs, closing one eye. “You were actually quite... normal at one time, weren’t you?”

Skylight’s ears went back. “Normal? I... um, I think so... I can’t quite--”

“You probably had a loving family, a warm home! Didn’t you?” Discord said dramatically, placing the back of his eagle claw on his forehead.

Skylight stood quietly, as if trying to remember. “Um, well I probably--”

“Of course you did!” Discord appeared behind her, his claws on her shoulders. “Where’s your family, little filly?”   “I don’t--”

“Actually,” Discord stepped back and squinted at Skylight. “Upon closer inspection... you don’t look like a purebred pegasus pony... you look more unicorn in the facial features.”

This conversation was a bit too intrusive for Skylight... “Mr. Discord, I should really get going, Arrow’s probably wondering where I--”

“What’s the rush? I’m sure this Arrow character won’t mind you being a few more minutes late! Besides, I think I can help...!” He smugly turned his back to her, smiling.

“Help?” Skylight asked. “Help with what?”

“Well find your family of course!” Discord said with a salesman’s smile. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

Skylight never enjoyed thinking about her past. She never gave it much thought, and honestly, it kinda hurt a little when she did. She was happy now, and didn’t care how she got where she was. “I... I don’t remember much of anything before the stadium... Well, something about lightning? I think? And rainbow...something...”

“Lightning? Rainbows!?” Discord exclailmed. “Well that sounds deliciously CHAOTIC! Hahaha!!” He laughed, then immediately slithered down to be eye level with Skylight. “I can see it in your eyes little filly, you’re suppressing a lot of memories, dear Skylight...” Discord said, suddenly wearing a monocle. “Tell you what; today is your lucky day! Just because I’m pretty bored today, (and I’m kinda curious myself) I’m gonna reach into that neon green head of yours, and show you what you could have looked like today had that rainbow-lightning debacle or whatever, not happened!”

Skylight had a confused, concerned look on her face. Something about his demeanor gave Skylight the chills. She knew she couldn’t trust him, but she didn’t know why.
“I don’t think so, Mr. Discord...” she turned around and stretched her wings ready for take off. “It was nice meeting you, but I think I’d rather just...”

“Beautiful! Hmm, yes, quite normal, and beautiful indeed!” Discord said.

Skylight turned around to see what he was talking about, and found Discord sitting on a chair eating popcorn staring into a mirror. In the mirror, everything looked the same, except her.

Her neon-green coat was now a nice mint color. Her messy, bright, streaky hair was nicely brushed and more of a peach color. Even her cutie mark was different.

“I... I’m... that’s me. . .?” She walked slowly towards the mirror, where the beautiful pegasus pony’s lips were mouthing the words perfectly in synch with her.

“Well that’s a version of you...” Discord said, “now you’re going to get a kick outta this: I looked around a bit underneath that crazy pink forest on your head, and I recognize a member of your family!”

“My... family?” Skylight echoed, still mesmerized by the image in the mirror. Suddenly, the pain in her head returned intensely, and she quickly shut her eyes. “No! No no no, Arrow is the only family I need... He took care of me when nobody else did!” She turned aggressively towards Discord.

Discord noticed her wince in pain, and he knew he just had to reel her in completely if he wanted to keep her interest. “Well, what if I told you, you have a twin sister?” He smiled, sinisterly. Discord absolutely loved the amount of material he had accrued from looking around Skylight’s head. This pony had one heck of a messed up past. If he couldn’t wreak havoc and chaos in Ponyville, this was the next best thing!

“...wha-- what??” Skylight said.

“You’re one of two! Not identical, of course, but better! The best kind, and most rare kind of twins to occur in Equestria! You’re a pegasus, and she’s a unicorn!”

Skylight had no response. Her brain was still trying to process all this new information. She couldn’t let her mind move too quickly though, to avoid getting the massive headache that comes with it.

“Speechless I see, which I can already tell doesn’t happen to you too often...” Discord laughed, “Haha! Oh this is too good!”

Skylight shook off the information, “No! Now you’re just making things up! I need to go! Now!” She launched herself into the sky, holding back tears of both pain, and confusion.
How dare he mess with her head like that! He literally just met her a few minutes ago, and now he claims to know more about her than she does! And the lies! Night Arrow is all the family she’s ever needed. And now she needed him more than ever.

“I’m not lying you know.” Discord appeared floating right next to her as she soared through the forest.

“Wha--!?” Skylight was startled and crashed into some tree branches, and rolled across the ground. “Oowww...”

She brought herself up onto her hooves again, wincing in pain from the fall.
“Here.” Discord snapped, and instantly all the pain from the scrapes cuts and bruises disappeared.

“See? I’m obviously trying to help, little filly. I’m not the bad guy...”

Skylight sensed fake sincerity in his voice, but he obviously had some sort of great power.

“Fine.” She said, “Show them to me, and then leave me alone.”

“Now THAT’S the spirit!” Discord smiled. “This is your family,”
Discord snapped and a small image appeared in the space next to him. “Skylight Sparkle....”

The picture was of a family of unicorns. The father figure was a blue with a darker blue mane, while the mother was light gray. The younger colt was white with a blue mane, but the youngest, presumably the daughter was what caught Skylight’s eye.
The daughter looked exactly like her, but purple. She styled her mane a little differently, and had a unicorn horn, but other than that, was identical in every other way.

“And check the cutie marks.” Discord pulled the mirror out from behind his back.

The two siblings in the picture both had a similar emblem; a six sided, vertically elongated star. As Skylight glanced into Discord’s magic mirror, she realized her new cutie mark also had this emblem.

“How do I know you’re not making all this up?” She said.

“Well, I can see your skepticism.” Discord said waving all the objects into smoke. “You’re reacting to all this as if it’s new information! You really don’t remember any of this?”

“I... no, not really...” She said, sitting down. “I remember the lightning, and speeding around the vats of rainbow, and Arrow racing me... then... all the colors! In my eyes! All my right eye could see was bright orange! And my left eye had a blue... it was so painful.. and that lightning...”

“Hmm...” Discord lowered himself and leaned on the ground near Skylight. “It sounds to me like this was all this Arrow’s fault. You poor poor filly.”

Skylight’s first impulse was to defend Night Arrow, but this time she began to have her doubts.

“I’ll tell you what, just because I’m feeling generous, I’ll make you a deal. I can’t just release a bunch of memories in your head, it doesn’t work that way. But what I can do, is open up all those great suppressed memories of your family and the good times you had with them, in exchange though, I’d have to lock away that terrible, terrible memory of your little accident. Details and all. Then maybe we can sort this whole thing out!”

Skylight’s eyes lit up. “But wait! I don’t know if I want to remember all--”

“Oh what’s the harm?” Discord said, smiling. “If I were you, I’d say it sounds like a pretty good deal! You get to remember what looks like some great times with a loving family, and forget all about that awful time that turned you into... well... this.”

He placed his eagle claw on top of Skylight’s head. “Deal?”

Skylight thought for a moment. He was right, there didn’t seem to be a down side to this.

“Tick Tock...” Discord tapped his claw on her forehead.

“Okay, deal.” She said, clenching her eyes tightly.

“Spectacular!! Now, this may sting a bit!!”
Suddenly all her memories began flashing before her eyes.

“Ah! I remember!! Dad!! Mom-- Aaah! Shining ArmoaaAAAAAAAHHHHH!!”

Skylight knelt there, in the middle of the Everfree Forest, eyes wide open, pupils shrunk down, and sweat pouring from her mane. She remembered everything. She remembered her mom, her dad. She remembered playing with her twin sister Twilight. She remembered her big brother Shining Armor reading her stories at night.
She just couldn’t remember why she looked like this, and why she was living in a forest with Night Arrow.

“Oh what fun!” Discord said, chuckling. “Now then. Since you have all those wonderful memories back, I have a once in a lifetime offer for you...”

“No.” Skylight said sternly. “No more offers. No more crazy magic. I need to talk to Night Arrow. Now where is he?” She was already having trouble remembering her way around the forest she had known so well.

“Oh calm down Skylight, I’m sure he’s busy ruining some other little filly’s life. Besides, you’re gonna want to hear this. . .”

Skylight sat down, half curious about Discord’s offer, and half because she really had to remember where in this forest she lived, and thus, how to get to Night Arrow.

“My offer is as follows:
The scars you wear are loud and bright,
the heart is there, but the color's not right,
If the family life is what you seek,
shake my claw; and take a peek!
A family's embrace will make this stay,
but fail and neon you'll remain,
If you choose to live under the Sparkle's roof,
Say bye to the Shadowbolts, and Night Arrow for good...”

Skylight paused for a moment, letting it all sink in.

“That last part didn’t rhy--”

“I know that last part didn’t rhyme! What do I look like, a zebra!?” Discord snapped. “Now shake on it!” he put his eagle claw out.

Skylight tried to think... what was the harm of the spell? She’d never had a family... She had Night Arrow of course, and CC and Darkstreak. She’d met Princess Luna, and she knew the Wonderbolts. She’d spoken with Zecora, who helped them with medicine, and Fluttershy who lived just outside the forest... but a real family? She’d never had that! At least not that she could remember till a few minutes ago... Besides, the rhyme said she could choose to live that life. She had the option. Which meant she could choose to just make everything go back to normal if it didn’t work out. There didn’t seem to be a down side.

“Well? My arm’s getting tired, Skylight...” Discord whined sarcastically.

“Fine.” She said, and stuck her hoof out.

“YES!! HAhAHAHaHAha!!” Discord laughed maniacally, and lightning appeared out of nowhere, which made Skylight jump. This no longer felt like a magical being helping her find her lost past; she now genuinely felt tricked. “Here we go!” He said as his grip tightened.

“Ow! What are you--? *gasp*!” Skylight felt a tingle move it’s way up her hoof toward her torso. When she glanced to see what it was, she noticed something. Her dark neon coat was turning a soft mint color. The slightly nappy fur from years of racing around the forest was becoming soft and silky. When it reached her mane, the bright staggering pink spikes became a muted salmon color, and gently curled at the tips. And finally, when it reached her eyes, the orange and blue tints she saw the world through disappeared completely.

She was normal.

“I... I’m...” She stammered, looking herself over.

“Beautiful?” Discord said, nonchalantly leaning against a tree. “Yes, yes you are. And check that flank of yours.”

“My cutie mark!” She yelled. “It’s... it’s different!” Her typical blue lightning bolt and orange swirl was now the light orange, six-sided elongated star, with the blue wing on the side, just like in the reflection from earlier. “What’s my special talent?” she asked Discord.

“Beats me, kid. Go ask mommy and daddy.” He walked over to her. “But you might want to hurry up.”

“Why?” Skylight asked.

“Oh, how silly of me! Haha, you’re gonna love this, I forgot to mention: You have 24 hours.”

“What!? That wasn’t part of your dumb rhyme, Discord!”

“Yeah, I knew that’d make you shout. Haha, if you don’t decide you like the family life, and get a ‘family’s embrace’ to make this all permanent by this time tomorrow, you go back to looking like a failed 3rd grade art project, AND any and all memories of your family will be erased COMPLETELY and FOR GOOD.”

“Wha-- What?? Permanently!?” Skylight said, panicked. “But-- that isn’t fair!”

“Isn’t fair? Perhaps we haven’t properly met, I’m Discord! Spirit of Chaos!! Just be glad I’m bored enough to even GIVE you this opportunity...” He began to walk away, then stopped. “Oh, and before you get any ideas, don’t bother talking to Night Arrow or CC or whatever, I had to do a little altering of their personal histories; they won’t recognize or remember you.”

Skylight’s panic became a wide-eyed look of utter defeat.

“Choose wisely, Skylight Sparkle!” Discord yelled as he began to disappear. “Time is running out!”

And just like that, Discord had vanished.

Skylight was alone in the Everfree Forest. She’d been alone in here before, but this was the first time in her life she had really felt alone.

Ch2: Welcome to Ponyville

Chapter 2: Welcome to Ponyville

Skylight just sat there for a moment, contemplating her next move. “What have I done...?” she said aloud to herself. “Okay Skylight. No time to cry about it now. You’ve already made the decision, now you’ve gotta deal with it.” She stood up. “Now, I can remember everything about my family... and I remember Night Arrow, but... he won’t remember me...” she began to pace. “That means... I’m not a Shadowbolt anymore?” She stopped. “Oh no... but I loved being a... NO. Stop it, Skylight.” She shook her head. “Snap out of it, now’s not the time for being sad. I remember living in... Canterlot!” She said, and spread her wings. “I can get there in 20 minutes flat!”

Skylight jumped into the air and her wings lifted her above the trees. It was at that moment she realized her wings were no longer those of an all-star athlete. She was struggling quite a bit to even get to that altitude, when she would normally just shoot off in whichever direction she pleased.

“Oh Celestia...” she panted, “...make that 2 or 3 hours! Whatever my new special talent is, it had better be worth these useless wings...” she glided over the trees. “Alright, think Skylight. You don’t have that kind of time... what’s a faster way to Canterlot?” Just then, she glided over her old home, the old abandoned Everfree Stadium. “...Ugh, this would be a lot easier if Night Arrow could just help me out...” she groaned. “He always knows what to do.” She decided against stopping, she knew there was nothing there for her anymore. “Oh! I know! There’s a train that goes from that little town just passed Everfree, right into Canterlot! Uh, it’s right where Fluttershy lives...” she thought for a moment, “Ponyville! Yeah! Takes just a few minutes, and I won’t be all sweaty from using these terrible new wings!” She laughed, and changed her course. “Looks like I’m heading there first!”

After a few minutes (which seemed like forever), she finally flew over Fluttershy’s cottage and began to see the small buildings that make up Ponyville. “Geeze, even at full speed, I’m half as fast as I used to be. I’d never even make try-outs for Shadowbolts, far-less the A-Wave...” She tried to think what made her get her old cutie mark. “I was doing something with Night Arrow... uh, racing him? That sounds right...” she struggled with her memories. “Well, whatever it was, it must have really given me an edge...”

Finally, she landed, right near the city hall, and tried to catch her breath. “Okay.... Ponyville... now, I have to find that train station...” Skylight turned around, and with her first two steps on solid ground, she slammed her face against the face of bright pink pony, with a big cotton-candy-like mane. “Oh, wow. I’m so sorry--”

*GAASSPP!* The pony inhaled over dramatically with a huge smile on her face. “A new pony in Ponyville!? What’s your name!?”

“Oh, well not really.” Skylight said, “I’m just kinda passing through. My name’s Skylight and I’m looking for the train to Canterlot--”

“HI SKYLIGHT!” the new pony shouted. “I’m Pinkie Pie, and I wanna officially welcome you to Ponyville!!” She grabbed Skylight’s hoof and shook it violently.

“Oh, thanks, but like I said... I just need to get to the train--”

“What? A train? Already?? But you just got here, silly filly! We don’t have time for a going-away party! Haha, we haven’t even had time for a welcome party!! Then there’s the unpacking party, and then the packing party, the very new best pony friends forever part... is it your birthday soon? This is gonna take a loooot of confetti...”

Skylight smiled nervously and thought to herself... ‘ ‘Wow, she’s about as hyper as I used to be... it’s normally me talking that loud and fast...’

“--I guess we’ll worry about your birthday later, for now I should get your welcome party going! I know just the ponies to invite--!”

“Uh, no, really, it’s okay. I’m actually pretty busy at the moment. I need to get to Canterlot, I’m looking for my family...”

Pinkie Pie stopped her rant and her big blue eyes got watery. “Your FAMILY!?” She said. “You’re LOST!? Oh no!! What do they look like? Maybe I can help! Are they green pegasus ponies like you? Let me think if I know any green pegasus ponies...”

“Actually, no--”

“Waaaaaitt!!” Pinkie shouted. She stared at Skylight for the longest amount of silence Skylight had experience since she had landed in Ponyville. “...you look super-duper familiar. Have we met before?”

“I really doubt--”

“No no no, I never forget a face...” Pinkie began to circle Skylight. “And that face you’ve got right there looks just like....!! . . . I got nothing.” she sat down. “But I know somepony who might be able to help!”

“No really, it’s okay, Pinkie. I just really need to get to the train--”

“Come with me!! It’ll only take a second!” Pinkie then grabbed Skylight by the wing.

“I don’t think I have much of a choice...” Skylight grumbled, glancing at the clock above the Ponyville cafe.

After a very quick dash through the small town, Skylight found herself in front of a large tree with windows, a door, and even a small balcony on the side.

“Ta-Daaaa!! We’re here!!” Pinkie Pie announced.

“A library in a tree?” Skylight said skeptically.

“Mmhmm! I call it a librartree!” Pinkie laughed. “The very smartest pony in all of Ponyville lives here! Probably in all of Equestria!! She’d definitely be able to help!”

Skylight continued staring at the library. “Uh look, Pinkie. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I really have to get to the train station--”

“What’s the rush?” Pinkie interrupted. “The train runs like, all day! Besides, you can talk to Twilight, and I’ll go get your party going! See ya later Skylight!”

The name instantly rang a bell. “Wait, you wouldn’t happen to be talking about Twilight--” Skylight looked around to discover Pinkie had vanished. “Sparkle...?” Skylight sighed. “Well, if that’s the case maybe I won’t have to go to Canterlot after all.”

Skylight stood awkwardly in front of the library. “*Sigh*, Well, here goes nothing.” she said, and walked up to the door.

*Knock, Knock, Knock*

The door slowly creaked open, and a friendly voice greeted her. “Hi! Can I help you?”

Skylight smiled, “Hello! My name’s--” she glanced at her small host at the door, “wait, are you a . . . baby dragon?”

“Yup! My name’s Spike!” The small dragon gestured to himself proudly. “You’re new to Ponyville, aren’t you?”

“You can say that...” Skylight forced a smile.

“Quick, get inside before Pinkie Pie sees you!” Spike opened the door a little wider. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s awesome! But she can be a little much for new ponies to handle on their first day here.”

Skylight laughed, “A little too late for that, but thanks for the heads up.” She walked inside. “So, I don’t mean to intrude, but does a Twilight Sparkle live here?”

“She sure does!” Spike exclaimed.

Skylight smiled ear to ear. This was great! Her time limit wouldn’t be a problem since she’d already found a member of her family!

“But, everypony’s upstairs right now. Her big brother just got back from his honeymoon, and Twilight’s parents are down visiting from Canterlot. They’re all up there talking, and I don’t think they’ll want to be bothered. You can come back tomorrow though...”

“No!” Skylight said. “Uhh, I mean... I can’t! I’m leaving tomorrow. And...” she trailed off and glanced up the stairs. “They’re all up there, huh?”

“Yeah the whole family. Um, what was your name again?” Spike said. “If you’re leaving tomorrow, maybe I can leave Twilight a message!” He walked across the room to a small table with stationary on it.

“It’s Skylight.” She responded.

“Haha, wow! What are the chances?” Spike giggled.

“Look, Spike, it’s really important that I see her today. I’m pretty sure she’ll understan--”

Suddenly, a glass fell from the top of the stairs and broke all over the library’s hardwood floor.

Cresent Moon, Twilight’s dad just gaped at the mint green pegasus from atop the stairs. “Sk... Skylight??”

“Dad...?”

Ch3: I Can Explain

Chapter 3: I Can Explain

A few minutes later, the entire family was sitting in Twilight’s Library. Twilight Sparkle, her mother Velvet, her father Crescent Moon, her brother Shining Armor, and of course, Skylight. Spike had decided to give them some privacy, and go up to his room.

“Skylight... we al thought you were dead...!” Twilight broke the silence.

“Now, Twi’,” Velvet said in her motherly tone, “there’s no need for that kind of speak right now! We’re just happy you’re back home, Skylie.”

Skylight smiled hearing her mother say her old nickname for the first time in what felt forever.

“I agree with your mother,” Crescent Moon said, “we’re all very happy you’re back, but I still don’t understand... What-- Where have you been? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Dad.” Skylight smiled, “It’s, well it’s a long story.”

“Well we’ve waited this long already!” Shining Armor said. “I think this story is long overdue!”

“Oh Skylie! First thing’s first!” Velvet stood up and walked toward her newfound daughter, “Please, come here! Give mommy a hug!”

“--Ah, no!” Skylight dodged her mother’s arms. “No, not quite yet...!”

“Not yet?” Crescent Moon said skeptically, “What do you mean, ‘not yet’?”

Skylight sighed, “I can’t hug anyone, at least, not yet. It’s all part of the spell...”

“Spell?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “As in, magical spell?”

Skylight nodded. “Yeah, see I met this crazy looking thing back in Everfree, named Discord, and--”

“--Discord!?” Twilight stood up. “Discord’s behind this!?”

Crescent Moon interjected “Who’s Discord? What’s going on?”

Velvet jumped in, “Oh! Do we have him to thank for bringing back our little girl?”

Skylight smiled, “Well, I--”

“--No. You don’t.” Twilight said sternly. “Discord is the spirit of chaos, he wreaked havoc on Ponyville about a year ago. But the girls and I turned him back into stone using the elements of--”

“--You’re turning ponies into stone!?” Velvet said. “Twilight Sparkle! We taught you better than that.”

“Enough!” Shining Armor shouted. “Twilight, Mom, Dad, I think it’s time we hear what Skylight has to say.”

The family settled down. Twilight reluctantly let her sister tell her story, while the other three ponies sat in listened in anticipation.

Skylight explained everything. Her accident during the race with Night Arrow, the lightning and vats of rainbow, running away to Everfree Forest with Arrow after her terrible disfigurement, the old abandoned stadium, Luna showing up with Cloud Crash, founding the Shadowbolts; she even brought up Trixie’s accident with the timberwolves, and how well she had gotten along with Fluttershy, the pegasus in the cottage at the edge of the Forest. She explained when Discord showed up, and the deal she made with him. The 24 hour time limit, and that all she had to do was receive an embrace from her family, and all of this would be permanent. But if she failed . . .

“...then you would permanently forget about all of us?” Twilight finished Skylight’s story.

Skylight nodded.

“Sounds like Discord didn’t plan on you finding us so easily.” Shining Armor sat up for a hug. “So what are we waiting for? I don’t see a down-side to this!”

“No, wait.” Twilight said. “With Discord, there’s always a down-side.” She began to pace around the room. “Wait, you said you’ve met Fluttershy?”

“Yeah, you know her?” Skylight said.

“I do. She’s a very close friend of mine.” Twilight smiled confidently. “She helped me defeat Discord the first time, and actually I may need her help again not that he’s back. I’m going to round up all the girls. If Discord really is still roaming around, We may need to use the Elements again!”

“What did I say about turning ponies into stone?” Velvet said.

“Hang on,” Shining Armor said “Skylie, when you said you live with Night Arrow in the Everfree Forest, you don’t mean the Royal Archer do you?”

“Royal Archer?” Skylight asked, “No, my Night Arrow is the Co-Captain of the Shadowbolts! He’s about your height, has a green mane--”

“--dark teal coat? Really dark circles under his eyes?”

“Yeah! The darkest!” Skylight laughed, “Wait, you know him?”

Shining Armor smiled, “Skylie! Arrow and I grew up together! It was always me, him, and Spitfire hanging out after school! He’s Celestia’s Royal Archer now! Not the captain of the Wonderbolts!”

“No, not The Wonderbolts! The Shadowbolts!” Skylight said.

The rest of the family looked at one another. “Skylight,” Twilight said, “what are The Shadowbolts?”

“What?” Skylight was at a loss. “Come on guys...” She smiled nervously. “The Shadowbolts! The only real competition the Wonderbolts have? The only other competing team?”

Twilight walked forward, “Skylight, there are no Shadowbolts.” she said sympathetically, “I would know, my good friend Rainbow Dash is always talking my ear off about the racing industry, and she definitely would have mentioned them.”

Skylight sat down with her ears back, sadly. “Well, I guess we found Discord’s ‘catch’...” she sighed, “I get my family back, but I lose everything I had.” she glanced at her cutie mark, “To be honest, ever since he casted that spell, I don’t quite feel like myself. . .”

Twilight sat up quickly, “That’s it! I have an idea!!” She pounced excitedly to the center of the room, “Skylight! Did Pinkie Pie say anything about a party to you!?”

Skylight looked at her bewildered, “Well, yeah. But I don’t think we have time to--”

“--Perfect! Then the girls must already be there!” She turned to her brother, “Shining Armor, can you get this Night Arrow to Sugarcube Corner asap?”

Shining Armor stood up. “Yeah, but Twi’ this is hardly a time to--”

“Just do it!!” Twilight used her magic to grab Skylight by the wing. “Come on, Sky’ time’s running out!”

Ch4: The Same, But a Little Different

Chapter 4: The Same, But a Little Different

“SURPRISE!!!”

Skylight jumped up, startled off the ground. “Oh--! Wow, alright... um Hello everypony!”

“Were you surprised? I bet you were!” Pinkie Pie bounced towards her. “Even though I already told you I was planning a super fun party for you! I still surprised you!! I am good!”

“Hello, there Skylight! Welcome ta Ponyville!” An orange earth pony with a cowboy hat said. “I’m Applejack, and this here’s Rarity, Rainbow Dash,” A white unicorn bowed, and a blue pegasus with multi-colored mane nodded her head. “and it looks like you’ve already met Pinkie Pie an’ Twilight, oh and this is our friend--”

“Fluttershy!!” Skylight lunged forward.

“Eep!” Fluttershy ducked beneath a table.

“Fluttershy! It’s me! Skylight! . . .” She said with genuine confusion in her voice. “From the Everfree Forest?”

Fluttershy peeked her head out from underneath the table. “Um, I’m sorry but I don’t think...”

“I-- I’m friends with Night Arrow. . . ?” Skylight began to plead “We had a sleep over in my locker room. . . ?” Skylight’s ears dropped back sadly. “You... you really don’t remember any of this, do you....?”

The rest of the ponies looked at Fluttershy for a response. “I’m so sorry, I think you have the wrong pegasus.”

Skylight sat down in defeat.

“Well, I have just about no clue what’s going on here,” Rarity said “but I do think it’s rather rude to harass somepony you’ve just met.”

“What? I didn’t mean to harass--” Skylight began.

“Girls, please... I have disturbing news.” Twilight interupted before things got worse.

“What is it, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“First off, Skylight isn’t exactly a new pony at all. She’s actually my twin sister, Skylight Sparkle”

“What!?” Everypony gasped.

Rainbow Dash flew down, landing in front of Skylight “Ppfch, yeah right!” She aggressively surveyed her up and down. “She may look just like you, but she’s a pegasus pony... you’re a unicorn! That’s not even possible.”

Pinkie Pie suddenly stood up between them, holding the Cake’s twin foals. “Um, helllooooooo!? Ever hear of Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake!? Unicorn-Pegasus twins are now CANON!”

Raindow Dash stopped her skepticism. “Oh yeah. Wait, what does ‘canon’ mea-- you know what? Nevermind.”

“Well it’s Nice to meetcha, Skylight! Any sister of Twi’s is a sister of mine!” Applejack smiled.

“Thank you, really but...”

Twilight interrupted again, “--We have a problem though, girls.”

Rarity stepped forward, still uneasy about Skylight. “Well, what is it darling? I’m sure any problem you have can be taken care of easily by all of us.”

“Yup! Just name it!” Applejack fixed her hat.

Twilight hesitated for a moment. “Discord is free...”

‘Why doesn’t Fluttershy remember me??’ Skylight thought to herself, ignoring the obvious concern among the six friends, ‘What is going on? Could it be a different yellow pegasus with long wavy pink mane and thick eyelashes who also happens to be named Fluttershy--? No, that’s stupid... I just need to--’

“Hey Twily,” Shining Armor said walking through the entrance to Sugar Cube Corner, “Look who I found!”

Standing in the doorway was the dark teal pegasus himself. Green mane, and his trademark violet, baggy eyes.

“Night Arrow!!” Skylight lunged herself at him. “I’m so glad to see you! You would not believe the day I’ve had!!”

Night Arrow stood, unmoved both physically nor emotionally. He wore Roya Lunar Armor, and looked more annoyed than anything.

“Captain Shining Armor, please get your little sister off of me. I just cleaned this armor.”

Skylight’s eyes sprung open. Her pupils shrank, and here eyes filled with tears. She was disappointed about Fluttershy not recognizing her, but Night Arrow? She was absolutely devastated. This day couldn’t possibly get any worst. She wasn’t feeling like herself, she had lost her ability to fly fast, and now her best friend in the whole world didn’t even recognize her...*

“Arrow...? But-- No! NO! You HAVE to remember me!! We grew up together!! We’re in the Shadowbolts!! We live in the Everfree Forest! In the old abandoned stadium!!”

“First of all, that’s Lieutenant Nightl Arrow to you. And secondly, The Shadowbolts? That silly side-project Princess Luna is trying to form just to spite Princess Celestia’s Wonderbolts? How do you even know about that? And why would I join a ragtag group of would-be flyers like that?”

Skylight sat down, clearly distraught. Applejack came over and comforted her.

Lt. Night Arrow continued, “Please, Shining Armor, can you tell me what I’m doing at a Ponyville filly’s--” He looks around the room at Pinkie’s decorations, “--what is this, a birthday party?”

“Twilight told me to bring you here, and Celestia seems to trust her judgement on most things, so I feel I should give her the benefit of the doubt.” Shining Armor replied.

Skylight wasn’t listening anymore. ‘Rag-tag team of... would-be flyers?’ his words echoed painfully in her mind. She was crushed... sure she’d gained her family, but she had lost *everything* about her old self in the process. No more racing, no more flying through Everfree in the middle of the night, or fighting off timberwolves... no more playing pranks on Night Arrow... no more Shadowbolts... was a family that she never even really knew worth losing all that . . . ?

“Everything is gonna be alright, Sugarcube.” Applejack said, patting Skylight on the shoulder. “Trust me.”

Rarity was still not buying it. “Honestly, Twilight. This pony is claiming to be your sister, but I don’t recall you ever mentioning a sister, far less a twin sister! Are you sure she’s not just trying to deceive you or something?”

“It’s . . . a touchy subject.” Twilight said, looking at Shining Armor “She had gone missing back when we were very young... it was back when we lived in Canterlot.”

Rainbow Dash added, “I don’t know, this all sounds kinda sketchy, Twilight. She’s saying she knows Fluttershy, and now this Night Arrow guy... but nopony seems to remember her! How do we know this isn’t one of Discord’s stupid games?”

Applejack stepped forward towards the center of the group. “Now, Rainbow, I can see it in Skylight’s eyes. She’s telling the truth.” Rainbow Dash stopped hovering and sat on the floor next to Rarity. “She’s just a victim of all this. There’s no need to attack her.”

Skylight forced a smile. “Thank you, Applejack...”

“I’ve got it! Magic-proof glass!” Twilight exclaimed.

“A who what now?” Rarity turned her head, confused.

“Magic-proof glass!!” She repeated slower. “It cannot be affected by magic of any sorts! I have one in my library! But since that also means I can’t move it using my horn, I’m gonna need some help getting it out. . .”

“And uh, what exactly does this glass do?” Applejack asked.

“I’ll explain when we get to the library, just trust me!”

Night Arrow’s patience was clearly running thin. “Well this seems like the most fun, pretty much ever, but I should be getting back to Canterlot--”

“--You’re not going anywhere yet, Arrow.” Shining Armor blocked his path. “I think we still need you with us.”

Night Arrow scowled “Uggh, Sir yes sir...” He saluted sarcastically. “But if Princess Luna beckons, and I’m not there, it’s *your* flank, Shining Armor.”

“Come on girls, gentlecolts,” Twilight motioned to her brother and Night Arrow, “Let’s get to the library.”

Pinkie Pie looked up from the cake she was in the middle of devouring “Aww! But the party just started!”

Ch5: A Change in the Game

Chapter 5: A Change in the Game

Upon arriving at the library, Twilight directed Rainbow Dash and Applejack to the basement, and had them manually carry up a large, thick plate of glass to the main area.

“Ugh, why do you even have this?” Rainbow Dash whined.

“For situations like this!” Twilight responded happily. “It’s technically cursed glass, but it does not allow magic of any kind, or any strength to pass through it! That includes when we look through it too!”

“And what, are we gonna hit her with it or something?” Rainbow said, still struggling with it.

Of course not, Rainbow.” Applejack scolded. “We’re not gonna do that, right, Twilight?”

“No, no, I just need you to place the glass in front of her, like a window!” She responded, as they reached the top of the stairs. “Alright Skylight, Night Arrow, and Fluttershy. I need you to stand on the other side of this glass. It should not allow any magic, illusions, curses, or hexes to pass through it, and just maybe we’ll see what’s really going on here. . .”

“Um.. ok.” Fluttershy said.

“Just hurry this up, filly.” Night Arrow said, walking next to Fluttershy.

Skylight smiled. “I really appreciate this, Twi’...”

“Of course! That’s what family does!”

“Heh... I just... I really appreciate it . . . For the first time in a very long time, I just... I feel like I have a real family. . .” Rainbow and Applejack slowly slid the glass between the three ponies and the rest of the room. “I feel so--”

--*Gasp!* Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie and Shining Armor all had shocked looks on their faces.

Skylight suddenly began to panic. “What is it!? What’s wrong!?”

Twilight was at a loss of words “I... um. Well, you...”

“Such bright colors!!” Rarity said.

Pinkie Pie gaped at the sight. “You guys look aaaawwweesome!!”

“What!? You can see them?” Skylight exclaimed, not sure to be embarrassed, relieved, scared or happy.

Twilight shouted excitedly (More from the success of her plan than from actually helping her sister). “Yes! Yes we can! Bright pink mane? One orange eye?”

Rainbow Dash let the glass stand on its own and took a look herself “HA! And it looks like Night Arrow over there is wearing the ‘would be flyers’ flight suit!”

“Ridiculous! Me? In a Shadowbolt flight suit?” He scoffed.

Skylight smiled.

Twilight narrowed her eyes, examining Fluttershy. “There’s definitely magic at work here, and judging from Fluttershy’s eyes, Discord is definitely behind it!”

Applejack leaned in towards Twilight. “Uh, Discord?”

“Precisely!”

“No, Twi’ I mean... look’it that there red tail... behind Night Arrow. . .”

Twilight, Pinkie and Rarity all gasped, “Discord!!”

The red tail began to materialize behind Night Arrow and was soon attached to a brown torso, one green leg, one lion’s paw, and several other pieces of animals. “HahAHAhahaaa! Magic-proof glass! Oh what fun!” He flew around the room, knocking the glass to the ground. “Geeze, Twilight Sparkle, Celestia trusts you with all the bells and whistles, doesn’t she? I haven’t seen one of these since... well, since Starswirl the Bearded!”

“What do you want, Discord? How did you get free?”

“Oh, Twilight you’re less fun than Celestia. . . I bring back your twin sister from the depths of the Everfree Forest, and this is how you say thanks?”

Twilight turned to her friends, “Girls! Grab the Elements! they’re in the--”

“Not so fast, ‘mane six’! Let’s see how *you* like being turned to stone!” He snapped and everyone in the room froze in place around Skylight. Their faces trapped mid-gesture. Skylight was terrified, seeing all the ponies who had just gone through so much to help her now at the mercy of this god-like trixster. Until now, she had no idea just how much power he really had. “Oh, not you, dear Skylight. I have a bone to pick with you . . .”

Skylight shook with fear, stuttering through her words. “I-- w-what do you want Discord?”

“What do I want?” He placed his lion’s claw dramatically on his chest. “Heh, Skylight, this is your tale! What do you want?” He poked her in the chest. “Now why did I go through all the trouble of hiding your disaster of a color scheme, when the very first thing you do is let everypony see it?”

Discord snapped his finger, and the magic hiding Skylight’s neon form crumbled away, falling to the ground like sand. Her true, original body was shown once again for the world to see.

He continued, slithering around her, “How do you expect to live happily ever after with your precious family when you’re a walking crayon box? You saw how they reacted to the ‘real’ you! They looked at you like you were a monster!”

Skylight looked at herself once again. Stretching her wings, and staring at her old swirly cutie mark. “But I liked my colors.” She said quietly. “I mean, sure they’re not, well, normal... or even natural. But I grew up with them. They’re a part of me now.” She stood up taller. “Just like Night Arrow was...” Skylight walked over to the now stone-Night Arrow. “Don’t get me wrong, having a family is great! I did miss out on growing up with Twilight, and Shining Armor... and it felt great seeing mom and dad again!” She looked bat at Night Arrow, “but all of this, got really, really out of control. I miss Night Arrow, and you didn’t have to take my old life away!”

Discord poofed into a tiny version of himself and stood on the stone-Night Arrow’s head. “Take your old life away--? Skylight Sparkle I didn’t take anything away! Before I showed up you could have easily waltzed right into Ponyville and lived happily ever after. But what stopped you? This arrogant, egotistical teal stallion?” He knocked on Arrow’s helmet like a door. “I got him out of the way for you! Now ask yourself, Skylight Sparkle: Is one big happy family really worth one conceited little pegasus?”

Skylight hesitated for a moment. “I... I don’t know . . .”

Discord was now spinning several plates on sticks pivoting on various points of the stone-Night Arrow. “Well you’re gonna have to figure all of that out. Because you really made a mess of this little game we had going.”

After a moment of thinking, Skylight turned to Discord confidently. “Let me talk to him.”

“What?” Discord dropped a plate to the ground, shattering it.

“Undo your spell on him, let me talk to him!”

“HA! I hardly think you’re in a position of authority, Ms. Sparkle.”

“I need to know!” She pleaded. “I need to know why he never brought me back to my family! I need to know if living in an old stupid locker room all these years was all his fault! Please, Discord! You said this was my tale! MY story! I just need to know I’m making the right decision!”

Discord stopped his witty remarks for a moment. He looked contemplatively at Skylight’s plea. “On one condition.”

“Anything!”

“If Night Arrow is out of the game, we lose the 24 hour limit.”

“Fantastic! I--”

“I’m not done.” Discord said. “You get 5 minutes! If you DON’T decide to go and embrace that Twilight lawn ornament over there in time, everything goes back to the way it was before, you’re back in your flight suit, back in the Everfree, but those broken memories of your family in your head, are gone FOREVER.”

Skylight grimaced. “I won’t remember anything about my past life?”

“Not. A. Thing.” Discord said “But if you do give her that hug, you turn back into a normal looking pony, get the family you always dreamed of, but you never see Night Arrow again.”

Skylight thought for a moment. It was a big decision to make in such a short amount of time. But she just had to know. “Deal.” she said.

Discord smiled, and put out his eagle claw. “Shake on it?”

Skylight nodded confidently and shook Discord’s claw.

Ch7: The Final Choice

Chapter 7: The Final Choice

Skylight began to panic. She thought hearing Night Arrow out would give her good reason to forget about him forever, but things were more complicated than before!

SHE was the selfish one, not him. For all the rude, sarcastic remarks he says, he truly cared about her, as not just a room mate, but as a sister! He gave up everything for her!

“Ooh, make that 25 Seconds!” Discord said gleefully.

Night Arrow stood up, glancing quickly from Discord to Skylight. “Until what? Who-- err, what is this guy?”

“There’s not time to explain!” Skylight said. “Um... ooooh no no no!” She paced faster.

“20 seconds!!”

Skylight looked around, and grabbed a quill and paper from Twilight’s desk, and started writing wildly.

Night Arrow ran over to her. “Sky! What are you doing?? Should I be worried about this countdown!?”

“Shut up Arrow! Just, I need to focus!”

“10... 9... 8... 7...”

“Seriously, Skylight!! What’s going on!?”

“6... 5...”

Tears rolled down Skylight’s face as she finished writing. She turned around and looked at Night Arrow, and the stone-Twilight.

“4... 3... 2...”

Skylight closed her eyes. “I’m so sorry. . .”

“1...!”

Skylight leapt across the library floor with open arms, bracing for the tightest hug she’s ever given.

A bright flash of light filled the room. The Mane six returned to normal. Confused, and dazed.

“Uh, Twilight?” Applejack said.

“Yeah...?”

“What in tarnation is going on here?”

“Yeah, how did we get here?” Pinkie Pie said, “Were we having a party??”

Twilight stammered. “I-- I don’t know! The last thing I remember was... *gasp* Shining Armor! You’re here!”

Shining Armor rubbed his head, wondering why there was a huge piece of glass in the middle of the library’s floor. “Uh, yeah Twi’ mom and dad are upstairs! Come on!”

Twilight turned to her friends. “I’m sorry girls, I’ve been waiting for Shining Armor to return from his honeymoon for what feels like forever! We’ll have to look into this gap in our memory later, right now... it’s family time.”

Rarity collected herself, and headed towards the door, “Understandable, I suppose... come on ladies let’s leave them alone.”

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all follow her out of the library, still confused about what just happened.

Twilight turned and hugged her brother. “I missed you, big bro! How was everything?”

“It was amazing! But it’s good to see the whole family back together again!”

Crescent Moon and Velvet headed down the stairs. “It’s good to see you both too!” Their father said.

“And the family is never quite complete without this!” She pulled out an old family polaroid. The entire Sparkle family look longingly at it.

“Oh, Skylight...” Twilight said, “our family will never be complete with you gone.”

“We all miss her, Twi’...” Shining Armor added, “but that was a long time ago. Let’s live in the now, she’d want it that way.”

“I know,” Twilight said, “but sometimes, I’d like to think she’s still out there though. It’s silly, I know... but--”

Shining Armor hugged his little sister tightly. “I know what you mean, Twi’, I know what you mean...”

A few miles away, in the middle of an abandoned racing stadium, a bright, neon-green mare is tightly embracing a dark-teal stallion.

“Skylight, what are you doing?”

She released him, as if coming to her senses. “Huh? I-- I don’t know! I guess I was just feeling huggy!”

“Huggy?” Arrow echoed, “Stop making up words, Skylight. Haha, you’re such a weirdo, you know that?”

“Ppffch, I’ve been called worst, baggy-eyes!” She teased.

“Oh, you wanna start a fight?” Arrow laughed, getting into racing position. “Hahah, come on! How about a race around the forest?”

Skylight jumped into starting position too, not realizing she had dropped a piece of paper. “You’re on!”

“Hey, wait, what were you holding?” Arrow said.

“Hmm? Oh, I dunno!” She said opening it on the ground. “It’s a letter!”

“A letter? Was Derpy here earlier? Who’s it from?”

Skylight read the letter silently. In very fancy calligraphy, ‘Dear Princess Celestia’ written across the top, but was crossed out somewhat erratically. Below that, in much sloppier writing, it read,

“Dear Skylight Shadowbolt-Extraordinaire,

I don’t have much time, but I want to tell you something very very important. I know it’s always bugged you that you can’t really remember your family, or your past very well. But please, don’t let it bother you too much. Your family is doing well, and misses you very much. It’s best to not go looking for answers, just trust me on this, it will only cause bigger problems. All you need to know is that Night Arrow is all the family you need. He may not be your real family, but he loves you like a sister, and he’s all the family you’ve ever, and will ever need. Take care of him, and he’ll keep taking care of you!

Love,

Skylight Sparkle.”

“Well?” Arrow said, impatiently. “Who’s it from?”

Skylight paused for a moment, trying to process the contents of the letter. “It’s from... well, it’s not important.” She smiled.

Arrow gave her a skeptical look. “Is everything okay?”

Skylight turned to him dramatically. “Actually, I’ve got some bad news, Arrow...”

Arrow walked over, concerned. “What is it, Sky’?”

Skylight paused for a moment, then sat down, holding her stomach as some kind of nausea washed over her. “It’s just so weird, but..” She gagged. “I’m... I’m still feeling all huggy, and you’re the only big dumb stallion I can take it out on!!” Skylight laughed and pounced on Arrow, tackling him to the ground, and embracing him tightly.

“Hahaha, dammit Skylight, stop being such a weirdo.”

Nearby, in the shadows of the trees, Discord looks on with a smile on his face.

“Hmmph, last time I try to help a pony out. Well, another day, another town!” He snapped and was suddenly dressed as a classic tourist, opening a suitcase and pulling out his red inverted umbrella. “The forecast for Manehatten: Cloudy with a chance of Chaos!” He laughed, “and maybe some chocolate rain.” He said with a smiled. And in a flash, he was gone.

Ch6: The Unfortunate Demise of Skylight Sparkle

Chapter 6: The Unfortunate Demise of Skylight Sparkle

*snap!* A blinding light filled the room. Skylight shielded her eyes, and Night Arrow’s stone encasing as well as his royal armor falls to pieces around him. Discord is gone.

“What the . . .?”

Skylight is completely elated. “Oh, Night Arrow!!”

Arrow scaned the room around him, trying to figure out just what’s going on. “Are we... in a library? Is that a statue of Fluttershy?” He said, dizzily walking over to it “Wow, that’s a perfect likeness. What library is this?”

“Night Arrow, we don’t have much time! I need to know, why do we live in Everfree Forest? Why didn’t you ever take me back to my family? Are you really so selfish that you just keep me... keep me prisoner in an old abandoned locker room!?”

“Wait a second! Selfish?? Prisoner!? Skylight, what’s gotten into you?? You’re starting to freak me out...! And not the usual kind of freaked out like when you’re bouncing off the walls. . . in fact, you look a little more... focused than usual. . .”

Skylight put her hooves on his shoulders “Night Arrow, please!! Just tell me! WHY DID YOU STEAL ME AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!!?”

Night Arrow looked genuinely offended. “Steal you away? STEAL you away!? Skylight, I never stole you from anything! You were just a filly! You seriously don’t remember that night do you?”

Skylight sat back down in front of Arrow. “I remember... the vats of rainbow, and the lightning, and . . .”

“The race? Against me? Through the factory?”

Skylight shook her head. “Wha... a race?”

“Hmmph,” A look of concern fell across his face. “You really don’t remember. Well trust me, Skylight: I’ll never forget.”

Skylight sat attentively as Night Arrow recalled the events of that fateful night that led them to live the life they had all these years in Everfree Stadium.

“It was in Cloudsdale. We used to always go up there after school. Being really they only two pegasus ponies in Canterlot kinda sucked since we were magic-less. And since my dad was the Wonderbolt’s coach, and your big brother was training for the Royal Guard, we were pretty stuck.

“We used to race each other all the time. The same way, starting off at the old beat-up storm cloud container, flying around the Rainbow section of the Weather Factory, and ending at Cloudsdale City Hall. But this night was different. The old storm cloud container was open! Remember? I dared you to go inside, and you, being the brave little filly you were took me up on it.

“You walked right in there, saying you felt all tingly from the static lightning.” Night Arrow smiled, “We laughed, then headed back out to start our race. I knew you looked a little jittery from the electricity, you still had pieces of storm cloud stuck all over you, but you insisted that you were fine. ‘Not trying to get out of a race, are ya’ Arrow?’ you mocked. And once I’m mocked, I never back down. So off we went. . .

“I was winning, well, at first. But this time something was different. I had never seen you fly so fast! And it looked like your wings were, I don’t know, electric! Like your little flapping was actually charging the lightning! At that moment, I knew I should have stopped the race, but my stupid pride wanted to beat you so bad. I’d never lost a race, and I’ll be damned if I lost to a little filly!

“So we raced on. As you got further and further ahead of me, I noticed your flight pattern became more and more erratic. You seemed to have less and less control every few feet. Just then, I realized the sky darkened around me, so I turned around, and there was a giant thundercloud behind me! The electricity you had on you must have magnetized you to the rest of it! It was following you, at a very high speed!

“I panicked! I tried calling out to you; ‘ Skylight!! Skylight STOP!!’ But you just responded with ‘ ‘Nice try, Arrow! Looks like I’m finally winning this one!’

“Suddenly, instead of flying between all the vats of rainbow... you just crashed right into one, literally into one; breaking a hole right into the side of it. I stopped in my tracks, terrified at the gallons and gallons of Rainbow pouring all over you.

“I bolted towards you again, tried to rescue you but just then, that thundercloud passed me right up, knocking me to the side, and slammed right into you. The whole place lit up like a Hearthwarming Tree. ‘AAAAARRRRROOOWW!!’ you screamed. ‘SSSKKYYYLLIIIIIIIIGGGHHHTT!!’ I called back. ‘
IT’S... IT’S IN MY EYES!! I CAN’T SEE!!’ you said. . .

“I just watched hopelessly, not knowing what to do. . .”

“When the lights finally went down, I expected the worst. My mind raced, I thought ‘How am i gonna tell Twilight? Shining Armor??’ This was all my fault. I knew racing through the factory with that electricity on you was a bad idea, but my stupid immaturity, and pride, didn’t let me stop us before it was too late.

“After all the lights had stopped, I heard a moaning coming from the busted vat. ‘...Ar-- arrow?’ I heard through the wreckage. I flew up as fast I could. My hooves digging though damp, grey storm cloud as quickly as I possible, then, I saw you.

“You were completely changed. Your mint coat was a neon green, your beautiful peach-colored mane was a shocking pink, and when you opened your eyes... they were... well, you know.

“When the sirens started, I said ‘We have to get outta here, Skylight!’ I grabbed you and flew straight down. We landed at the edge of the Everfree Forest, near a lake.

‘We need to go home, Sky’ I said.

‘I know, I just... I can’t think straight.’ you said.

‘Don’t go to sleep, I hear it’s dangerous to go to sleep after you hit your--’

‘No, no, I’m not tired... I’m actually more awake than I’ve ever felt...!’

‘Skylight, you still have rainbow all over your mane, and coat... go wash it off in the lake over there.’

‘Okay...’

You walked right over, and caught a glmpse of yourself in the reflection. ‘What the... I’m-- I’m a monster!’

‘No! No you’re not!’ I tried to calm you down. ‘You look crazy awesome!’ I said, ‘and look! Skylight! You got your cutie mark!’ You checked down, and saw it.

‘But... what the heck is my special talent? Crashing into vats of Rainbow?’

I shrugged. ‘I don’t know! But we need to get you home soon...’

‘Looking like this!? No way!’ You scrubbed and scrubbed for what felt like hours, but your coat only looked irritated from all the scrubbing. Not at all any less bright. ‘It’s... it’s not coming off!! Arrow! It’s not coming off!’ The panic in your voice made me want to panic too. . . but I knew I had to stay calm for you.

‘Skylight, we need to get you home...’

‘NO! Not like this!! I’ll be disowned! We’re practically Canterlot Royalty! My brother will never get into the academy with a crazy looking sister like this! And Twilight! She wants to study directly under the princess! You know how judgmental Canterlot ponies are, I’d ruin their lives!’

You began to cry. I met you down in the river, and gave you a hug. ‘Hey, heyheyhey.. calm down, Sky... look, it’s okay. We’ll just lay low for a while, okay? We’ll go home tomorrow when our head is clear, sound like a plan?’

You looked at me with those big, filly eyes, ‘Mmhmm...’

So we looked for a place to stay.”

Skylight was mesmerized by Night Arrow’s re-telling of her long-forgotten origin. “It was your idea to look through Everfree Forest.” He said, “Once we found the old abandoned stadium, it started to rain, so we just stayed in one of the locker rooms. I bugged you every day for 3 whole months to go back home. But you wanted to stay. You were too ashamed of your new look, you didn’t think anypony would accept you back in Canterlot. So eventually, I gave up. And we just lived in the Forest.”

“I.. I remember all that now. . .” Skylight said, pacing around the room, “It wasn’t your fault I’m family-less... it’s mine. And what about your family!? Oh Arrow, I’ve not only ruined my own life, I stole you away from your family too!! You could have been a Wonderbolt! You were training every day with your dad! Did you ever see any of them ever again!?”

“Well, no. But I felt so bad about your accident, and kinda got used to taking care of you. Sure I miss Raindrops and Scootaloo, and Dad, but... well, I’ve come to think of you as my little sister now...” he smiled.

Skylight’s eyes lit up.

“You’re all the family, I need Sky’...”

Skylight hugged Arrow tightly.

“Aww, how sentimental...” Discord said, appearing behind Night Arrow. “Touching really. But I hope you’ve made up your mind, Skylight. You have 30 seconds.”