An Awakened Nightmare

Twilight and her friends were just finishing up on the cleaning of the town after their celebration of the returning cutie marks. It took a lot of work of fixing up the village from Starlight’s leadership as everypony worked hard to remove all the equal signs that plagued the town. Of course Pinkie added her own flare to the small community by painting the houses bright colors.

“Now all the houses will really bring a smile to your faces!” Pinkie said in her usual happy tone. She looked around to see the other ponies happy at their new homes. Sugar Belle and Double Diamond showing the most happiness from it.

“At least its better then seeing that ugly equal symbol everywhere.” Rarity said as she used her magic to paint over another equal symbol. “This place is going to look so beautiful.”

“Yeah it looks a whole lot better than it was before.” Rainbow dash stated while she painted the roofs at nearly mach speed. Her painting never missed a step and no drops landed on the ground as she colored each roof in vibrant colors.

Twilight used her magic to teleport potted flowers onto the window sills of each home while Applejack planted seeds into the ground while some of the town fillies and colts watered them.

“Hopefully with the new look, this place can start getting tourists and maybe some new faces.” Twilight said as she just finished putting the last flower pot on the windowsill. “There, that should help make things better.”

“Ooh ooh I can’t wait to see new ponies around here. It’ll be so awesome and amazing!” Party Favor shouted loudly as he bounced through the streets, nearly rivaling Pinkie Pie’s antics.

Double Diamond reached out and grabbed hold of Party Favor to stop his bouncing. “Easy there. It’s yet to happen yet so no need to be bouncing around.” He said in his chilled voice but automatically noticed the saddened look that was on Party Favors face “What's wrong?”

“You think Starlight will be alright?” Party Favour asked as she sat down at the newly refurbished table. “I mean despite the mess she caused us.”

“She’ll be fine. She’s probably spreading her equalization somewhere else.” Double Diamond stated.

“All it just means is that we’ll have to stop her all over again and this time she ain’t getting away.” Rainbow Dash proclaimed while performing air kicks and karate chops. “Who needs Elements of Harmony when you have sweet moves like mine!”

“Easy there Dash there won't be any need for that.” Twilight said as she walked towards the rest of the group “It's going to take awhile for her to gain any followers again. So we don't have to worry about her for awhile.”

Double Diamond looked at the rest of the group with an uncertain look. “I don’t know guys. It didn’t take her long to collect us all. She can be very persuasive and I should know.”

“Yeah but unless she finds another town in the middle of nowhere, I think we're fine.” Dash said sarcastically.

“Dash this is serious.” Twilight said with a stern tone. “Since we just kicked her out of her own town, she could be capable of anything.”

“Relax Twi, there’s nothing she can do that we didn’t already see. She’s not that good at fighting back from what we saw.” Rainbow scoffed.

“True, but she’s not all there.” Twilight said as she pointed to her head. “ That makes her dangerous and unpredictable.”

Applejack took off her hat and wiped away the bead of sweat on her forehead. “Does it matter right now sugarcube? She may be dangerous but she’s also a one trick pony. Your magic alone could best her in magic.”

“Humph….Maybe, Double Diamond you know Starlight long enough. What is she like, besides the obvious?”

Double Diamond rubbed his chin as tried to remember. “Well aside from the obvious she did have moments of being paranoid or talking to herself whenever no pony was ever around.”

“Talking to herself?”

“Yeah. I sometimes overhear her say things like: “I hate Cute Marks”, Princess Celestia should have chosen me...Blah Blah Blah. Stuff like that.”

“Wow… Princess Celestia sure has a lot of former students. Is it like a seasonal thing with her?” Pinkie Pie blatantly asked the group as she tried to think of many former students Celestia could have had.

“Uh Pinkie Pie. That’s not a good time to ask that…” Applejack said with a worried look on her face. “Besides we should be worried about whether she’s still up in those mountains or not.”

“Perhaps the princesses have answers about her -” Twilight took a few steps away from her friends and turned her head to face them “- and besides we need to head back to Canterlot and let the princesses know about the cutie map.”

“What about Starlight? Because like you said, she’s still out there and who knows on what she’s capable of.”

“Our best bet is to just wait and see what she plans next. Even she can’t try anything too dangerous on her own.”

“Fingers crossed.” Pinkie said as everypony gazed at her. “What?”

“Uh… right. Anyway let’s finish this up and head back home. I’m sure Big Mac is tired of doing chores on his own.” Applejack said as she adjusted her hat.

“Good idea. Tank is probably missing me now.” Rainbow Dash said.

“And gummy must be missing my tail by now!” Pinkie said while swishing her fluffy tail back and forth. “He thinks it’s cotton candy.”

“Plus I need to feed Opal before she starves to death!” Rarity dramatically stated while some of the ponies looked at her with confused looks and cocked heads.

“Well thanks anyways.” Double Diamond said, ignoring the dramatic mare “And don't worry, we’ll keep an eye out for Starlight.”

“Thanks Diamond.”

“Don't mention it, just keep Equestria safe for us to live in and that will make us even.”

“Will do!” Rainbow Dash said with a stern smile and salute before turning with the others to the direction of the train station.

?detsurt eb nac