Chapter 8 Shocking Truths Revealed

Author's Note sorry it took so long but here is my longest chapter yet

As Twilight was packing her bags and getting ready to depart Canterlot, she wondered how Star was holding up with Fluttershy and his friends. She was concerned, but in an amused way. Fluttershy could barely handle the Cutie Mark Crusaders on her lonesome, much less a hyperactive Shooting Star on top of it all. But Fluttershy had an Ace in the Hole, so to speak. The Stare. She’d seen it used on several of her animals, and suspected it was magical in nature. But with Shadow living just down the path, it couldn’t be all that bad. Smiling to herself, she boarded the train and set out for home.

Shadow and Shooting Star were waiting for Twilight at the Station. Apparently, Fluttershy had an urgent appointment that afternoon, and requested of Shadow to keep an eye on Star. Greeting him warmly, Twilight hugged Star. Shadow offered to help carry some of her bags for her, and the three of them set back off in the direction of the library. After letting the bags drop gently onto Twilight’s couch, Shadow took his leave. Then he went to hunt down Spike who was still at Rarity’s boutique. By now, Star had grown enough to go most places nearby on his own.

While Star was absent, Twilight looked over some of the articles she’d copied from the Royal Archives. There was next to no useful information she could find. The only thing even close to what she was looking for was about flashbacks from a past life. Twilight couldn’t understand how Star could even have a past life, he was only just brought into the world almost a year ago, but he did grow exponentially. She also had suspicions about Shadow. He was a nice enough pony, but he seemed unable to use most forms of advanced magic, resorting mostly to levitation spells, which most unicorns learned well

before they were close to Shadow’s age. She decided she would test him at a later date.

Just then, Star and Spike barged in through the library door, startling Twilight and scattering papers about the floor. Grabbing them both up in a magical field, she inquired as to exactly why they charged into her library like a herd of cattle. With sheepish grins, they explained they were playing speed tag. Twilight instructed the both of them to clean up the mess

they made, while she proceeded to archive the research she had come across in canterlot. After all was said and done, they went out to eat for once. This surprised both boys, as they were used to Spike being the cook of the library.

While they were out to dinner, they were joined by Pinkie Pie, who seemed to appear from under the table they were sitting at. As the patrons chatted amongst themselves, the sun began it’s slow descent, making way for Luna’s moon. It was a balmy summer night, and Twilight let the boys play outside for longer than usual, since she needed to focus on this Dream Interpretation of hers.

After a little while, the boys came in on their own accord, and since it was getting late, Twilight sent them off to bed. In the back of her head, Twilight had a feeling Shadow knew more than he was letting on, and she would have to get the truth out of him one way or another, otherwise she might never solve this mystery.
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“A dark, windy night. A full moon glowers down upon an alien landscape, familiar yet not. A young man with dark hair and clothes is walking through a forest, the place was very unfamiliar to him. Shadowy figures stopped the young man in his tracks. He looked around worriedly for any sight of his campfire. He knew he should not have wandered off, but his parents were fighting again over some stupid food issue that could have been easily resolved.

He heard snarls and howls reverberating through the woods. His breaths came, shallow and ragged, for fear had gripped his chest and held it in an icy grip. He began to run. The thrill of the hunt incited the hairy beasts that had been following him. Yellow eyes, dripping fangs, they smelled of rot and decay. He was running for what seemed like an eternity. Then he saw a light in the distance. He ran toward it, hoping for salvation. He tripped just out of range of the light’s heavenly beams. Rolling onto his back after being briefly stunned, the last thing he remembered seeing were yellow eyes, and hearing gunshots.
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Shooting Star awoke, screaming as if he had been stabbed with a red hot blade. Then, before Twilight or Spike could reach him, he had another magical eruption, this time blowing the meager furniture in his room to little wooden splinters. Twilight barely had time to erect a barrier in front of her and Spike, wood chunks bouncing off of the purple dome of magic. After the bright light had faded, Twilight entered the room cautiously, maintaining her glance between the floor and Star’s quivering body. She instructed Spike to immediately send for help. As she levitated Star gently, she carried him down to the couch in the living room, setting him down as gently as possible. Applejack and Rarity had been the only two Spike could rouse from slumber.

While Rarity tended to the destroyed bedroom with the aid of Spike, Applejack helped Twilight with Shooting Star. He had awoken fully now, shivering and sweating. As Applejack soothed Star, Twilight sent a letter to the Princess, informing her of how bad the past half hour had gone. Celestia replied that she would be setting off for Ponyville as soon as the sun had risen. Twilight then proceeded to question Star about his Nightmare, and after a couple hours, she had gotten a rough idea

of how it went. Documenting this, she put Star upstairs in her room. It wouldn’t be the first time she shared her bed with another pony. She also sent a letter to Shadow, requesting his presence at his earliest convenience. Now she knew for sure something was screwy, because night terrors weren’t usually followed by a magical explosion. Whatever was happening to Star, it would eventually rip him apart possibly, both physically and mentally, especially if he couldn’t control his magic or his nightmares.
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The next morning dawned brightly, but the glorious weather was overshadowed by the grim faces assembled in Twilight’s library. Celestia had arrived nearly with the sun itself, and Shadow had followed shortly after. Twilight was also awake, but still groggy, for she had next to no sleep the previous night, fearing for Star’s safety. Shooting Star was excited to see both his mother and Shadow, but had a feeling this was not a casual visit. Star was seated at a round table, the three adults seated there as well. Twilight knew she would have to get this discussion started with if she expected to get anywhere.

“Shadow, how exactly did you come to equestria?” Twilight asked him, in a serious, flat tone.

Trying for a nervous smile, he replied as he was supposed to. “I came into this world just as any other pony does.” He said, a sheepish grin coming across his muzzle.

Twilight was not amused. “Then why does a fully grown unicorn have only rudimentary magic at his disposal? I’ve never seen you teleport, or levitate anything heavier than my bags from the train. And you even had the light ones.”

“I suppose I just never learned the spell to teleport. I was born into an earth pony family.” He tried again, falling back on the backstory he had made up for himself as a human. “never needed to teleport.”

“If that’s the truth, what region are you from? I’ve seen every map of equestria, even the ones I’m not supposed to see.” Twilight fixed him with a cocky smile, realizing she had probably trapped him.

At this, Shadow flatlined. “I think perhaps the Princess could explain that.” Shadow said, hanging his head.
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Twilight now bid Spike to take Star to Sugarcube corner and order some cupcakes. This was to get Star out of earshot. She then rounded on her mentor, after they left. With the most earnest look she could muster, she proceeded to question the princess. “With all due respect, princess, I need to know how Shadow got here and why. Even a pony younger than him knows somewhat more magic. They usually develop certain spells out of necessity, like Rarity’s gem-finding spell. You must know something I don’t.”

“Very well, Twilight. I knew I couldn’t hide it forever, though I tried my hardest. Shadow is not from equestria, or even this planet. He’s a human from the planet Earth. This is why he has no real magical skill, or even has a place to call a home. He’s here due to certain circumstances. As you know, Alicorns rarely reproduce. This is why I was quite taken aback when I realized I hadn’t put on weight through eating copious amounts of food. Though I do enjoy cake here and there, I would never let myself get that out of hand.” The princess scoffed. “Star technically does not have a father. Imagine my shock

when I found out he had been reborn here in equestria, also coming from Earth. Mr. Shadow Foot explained that very fact to me. Shadow, if you would.” Celestia pleaded, wanting to take the focus off of herself. She felt like a little foal who had messed up quite badly, and she didn’t like it, but Twilight had every reason to be ticked off.

“Well, Shadow?” Twilight asked in an open-ended sort of way. “What do you know about Shooting Star?” Hating the fact that he had been spotlighted, Shadow prepared himself for the no doubt long and confusing speech that was going to follow.

“Well, the pony you see before you, is a pony version of my human self. Shooting Star was also a human in his past life, and my best friend. He killed himself and was offered to be reborn in any dimension he chose, and I suppose he chose equestria. It wasn’t his time to die, so he was given a second chance, and for some reason, I was offered to come along for the ride, so to speak. My real name is Jason, and I used to be a construction worker’s apprentice before I came here. I guess I was given enough magic to fit in, but I’m still trying to learn more. I honestly can’t say why Star’s having so much trouble, but I’m here to protect him, just as I used to back home on Earth.”

Celestia chimed in, unasked. “I personally assigned Shadow to be Star’s guardian. He’s also acting as a liaison between Star and myself. You’re busy with your friendship reports, so I asked Shadow to send me reports on Star’s progress and growth. I really don’t have the time to come visit him like I want to, but at least with Shadow’s help, I can feel that I know something about my son.”

Twilight, though she knew the entire truth now, still felt something was missing. “Then I guess these night terrors Star’s been having, have been memories from his past life? Stressful, traumatizing memories?” Twilight asked, feeling slightly confused.

“That’s about the idea of it” Shadow said. “I still have all of my memories, but Star isn’t supposed to. He’s supposed to live and breathe equestrian like all of you.”

“And we haven’t figured out how to block them, either. I’m sure you’re even having trouble, Twilight,” Celestia chipped in.

“Star came to live with you because your talent is magic. If anyone can block his memories or help him control his magic, it’s you.” Celestia finished, matter-of-factly. Appreciating the praise, but still unsatisfied, Twilight was drawing a blank. She didn’t know what else could possibly be explained.

“So what do we tell Star?” Twilight asked, unwillingly breaching the question that she had left to ask.

“We tell him nothing, until he asks one of us himself. Once he does that, he’ll be ready for the answer.” Celestia said flatly. “I can imagine he’s still very scared and unsure of what questions to ask.” Now it was Celestia’s turn to take control of the discussion. The best we can do is try and let him come to us. But for now, let him enjoy being young” Celestia finished, a

note of finality inherent in her voice. “I think it’s high time I got back to the palace before everypony wonders where I’ve gone. “I’ll expect a letter from both of you before the day’s out” as she shot Shadow a malicious wink. Twilight was about to ask
what the wink was for when Shadow cut her off.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell.” He grumbled. “I’m gonna go see Star and Spike. They’ll be on their way back shortly.” Shadow managed a friendly grin as he left.Yet, after all had been revealed, Twilight felt no closer to her answers. She swore she would drive herself to drink one day.
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Spike and Star worked their way back to the library, greeting passing ponies with friendly smiles and waves. Pinkie decided to join them for the walk back home, since she had several cookbooks she needed to return to Twilight. Babysitting for the cakes had taught her much about responsibility, and returning books was one way to develop a better sense of it.

As the three new arrivals to the library entered, Twilight fixed the boys with her best “Im fine” smile. She was pleased to see that Pinkie had also returned several cookbooks she borrowed, still in good condition. Twilight was proud of her bubbly friend for being so careful and responsible with her books. She was also quite hungry, and was elated that the boys had

thought of her and brought her a pair of her favorite muffins. Twilight munched happily at a floating muffin, while she made record of the books Pinkie returned. Twilight, after eating, had instructed Spike to work on the library’s main sitting room while she and Star went to their studies. Twilight needed to look more into the apparent angels that could give new life, and Star needed to practice his magical control badly.

As the residents of the library went about their daily routines, nothing more was said about the events of the previous night. Surprisingly enough, Rarity had come by and offered to redecorate Star’s room for him, since it wasn’t his fault that it had been wrecked. Trailing her were Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, hoping they could help. Scoots had a doctor’s appointment, so she couldn’t come.

Rarity had magically painted Star’s room a soothing midnight blue, with dark purple curtains, trimmed with gold threads. She felt these were very soothing colors and would help ease the young colt as he slept. She also repaired his picture of his mother and aunt, with that strange red unicorn she sometimes saw around town. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom dusted up the leftover wood and glass bits carefully, singing their CMC song. After the work was said and done, Twilight and star had

just come back from the study for a lunch break. The fillies, young colt, grown mares, and young dragon sat down at the same massive round table from the earlier discussion, Spike serving up salads and sandwiches to those assembled. After lunch was finished, the young ones played while Rarity and Twilight cleaned up.After a little while, Rarity, Sweetie, and Bloom all said their goodbyes, Spike got back to his dusting, and Twilight retreated to the study once again with Star.
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Twilight only had one choice as far as controlling Star’s magic. Magic was an unruly thing, even with older unicorns. Twilight noticed that his magical explosions often occurred when he was distracted, such as when he hit his head. If his focus were intensified, his magic would be less likely to explode out of him.

“This is an easy little trick that I used as a filly.” Twilight instructed Star. “All you have to do is move a ball up a small ramp, using only your magic.”

As his times got faster, she would use heavier objects. It started with a small plastic ball, up to a solid metal sphere the size of a grapefruit. As long as Star couldn’t levitate the final sphere freely, his magic was still unstable. Once he could manipulate the sphere, freely, it was time for even larger objects to be used. Of course, he would need to learn other types of spells if he was supposed to be king of equestria one day, but that time was still a long, long way off. Magic was all about willpower, Twilight felt.

Star liked the idea of the new game Aunt Twilight had taught him, and happily attacked the goal with all he had in him. Twilight would reward him somehow every time he moved on to a new object. Even Spike earned himself an allowance every week, which is how he often ended up with stomachaches every Sunday. Star couldn’t wait to earn his first reward, so within

the first day, he had already moved on from the plastic ball to a small wooden ball that was about the same size, but denser, and therefore, heavier.After the lessons were done for the day, Spike and Star decided to go back to Sugarcube corner for a second round of sweets. Trotting back to the library with their purchases, they gorged themselves until they were both sick.
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The next morning, Spike and Star both woke up with horrible toothaches. After a brief examination by not-a-dentist Twilight, she found they each had cavities in the back of their jaws. Twilight promptly scheduled dentist appointments for the three of them, which were to be held the next day.

Twilight tried her best to reassure the boys they were going to be fine, but they were both jumpier than jackrabbits. Then after they refused to settle down, she threatened them with the might of the Fluttershy and her adorable ocean blue eyes, a.k.a The Stare. They decided they’d much rather face a dentist than a ticked off Fluttershy. The boys heard the whine of some sort of machine, and their fears returned. But they squashed them immediately.

The previous patient had come out of the Dentist’s office with a dreamy look upon his muzzle, almost as if he we’re ready to laugh at the slightest provocation. If a pony could be that happy about having his mouth examined, it couldn’t be that bad.
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After their dentists’ visit, the boys felt positively giddy for no good reason. They had been put in the chair and worked on, and they couldn’t help but be amazed at how clean their teeth were. Spike’s fangs were now as white as Rarity’s coat, as were Star’s. They’d also been given more sweets, which was pretty awesome. All in all, it wasn’t a bad visit.
That night, Twilight and Shadow sat in their respective homes, scratching out their letters, though there was nothing they could really write about. Still, they managed.

“Dear Princess Celestia,
Star’s magical control has increased by quite a bit, after he started messing with the ramp-and-ball mechanism that Miss Sparkle used as a filly. He’s been working at it with full focus for the past two days, and he’s moved on to a small steel ball, not much bigger than one of the little gumdrops that decorate some of the cupcakes at Sugarcube corner, though it is quite weighty. He also has made several friends, who he makes a point to go see at least once a day if he can get away

from Miss Twilight. Methinks he has grown an especially soft spot for one Sweetiebelle, little sister to Miss Rarity, and a talented young singer. I personally believe that is her special talent, although she doesn’t quite realize it yet. Things are going well with Star, as I hoped they would. I’ll continue tracking his progress on your behalf, Highness.
Signed; Shadow, Ponyville Liasion.”

Shadow finished his letter with a satisfied sigh, grateful that he had once again spared himself from the possible wrath of the Princess. Folding the letter carefully and dropping it into his mailbox for the lovable mailmare that came by in the early morning.

Twilight’s letter went along like so:
“Dear Princess Celestia,
I learned today that sometimes even the best of friends can be rivals. Such is the Case of Rainbow Dash and Applejack. But regardless of their abilities, they still are willing to go hoof-over-hoof to help each other out when it’s needed. I quite enjoy watching their rivalry, and find it funny at times. I haven’t found any new information on how or why Star is having such problems with night terrors and magical bursts, but his progress with the ramp and ball mechanism is quite impressive. I hope it helps him as much as it helped me.
Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle"

Author's Note will Star and Sweetie Belle hook up well only i know that so you will have to wait for a new chapter