Chapters Starlight Glimmer was a young pony with a bright future.
From as far back as she could remember, Starlight was always fascinated with magic. She wasn't what anypony would call a natural at it but even as a filly, she was dedicated and enthusiastic about learning it.
One of the happiest times for young Starlight was when she got her "cutie mark". Being taught, as young ponies were, that your cutie mark was a sign of a pony's "special talent", Starlight was sure that her cutie mark would relate to magic and she was right. Hers was a bi-colored star and what looked like two swirling magical auras.
Life at this point could not be any better for young Starlight but this was all about to change.
You see, Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns was for "gifted unicorns", ones who show a special talent in the magical arts. Not unicorns that just study hard.
She spent many a night crying herself to sleep, cursing what she came to think of as the "cutie mark lie". An empty promise of talent. She often asked her parents "What's wrong with me?"
Though kind and meaning well, Starlight could not take any comfort in her parents words. It's very hard, she thought, not knowing where you fit in.
Then, if things couldn't get any worse for Starlight, on the last day of class before the semester break, she was called into the headmasters office.
But poor Starlight was unconsolable. She was in shock! She had worked so diligently, studied harder than any pony else in her class. Why was this happening to her? Starlight was so full of emotions, sadness, disappointment and anger, all swirling around in her head, that she felt like she was looking at herself from down a long hallway.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Starlight composed herself as best she could. She then asked the headmaster, "B-But why? H-Have I not studied hard, p-passed all my exams? Why is this happening to me?"
The headmaster, using his magic, removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes with his hoof before continuing.
Her head low, she cleaned out her locker and went home. You would be hard pressed to find a more dejected pony in all of Equestria.
Returning home, Starlight refused to leave her room for days. Nothing her parents could say had any effect on her. Nopony came to visit her because what friends she did have were not what one would call close. Starlight was a dedicated pony you see, and she spent most of her time with her studies, in the company of books and not socializing with friends like her peers did.
A week went by before Starlight came out of her room. She was done feeling sorry for herself.
Her cutie mark had set her up for failure.
Her parents were distraught when Starlight told them she was leaving but nothing could deter her from the path she had chosen. There was nothing left for Starlight in Canterlot.
"Days." Starlight muttered to herself, "It's been days since I left Manehattan looking for this old settlement I read about. One full day by train just to get to Las Pegasus and two days from there on hoof."
As she trudged through the seemingly endless expanse of the San Palomino Desert, Starlight thought back to that scroll she found in the Manehattan Museum of Antiquities. She knew she was not supposed to have read it. It was tucked away in the restricted section of the archives, labeled "Not For Public Display" along with various other ancient unicorn artifacts.
She remembered thinking it odd that this museum would have any unicorn artifacts to begin with. Although now a multicultural city, Manehattan was, long ago, a traditional earth pony settlement.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Four days earlier...
Upon arriving in Manehattan, Starlight Glimmer immediately set about finding one of the many museums a city of this size probably had.Hotels were a wealth of information. Starlight giggled to herself. All one had to do is be polite and just about anything you needed to know about a strange place would be right there for the asking.
One museum she disregarded straight away. The Museum of Modern Art. Starlight knew there would not be anything of value to be learned there. That left two yet to explore. The Royal Manehattan Museum and the Manehattan Museum of Antiquities.
Starlight went to the Royal Manehattan Museum first because it was the closest. One look around told her that this place was not going to have what she was looking for. Still, she was already here and she was not one to leave any stone unturned in her hunt.I sure hope I can find something there, it's my last lead.
Manehattan is a large city and difficult for a newcomer to navigate but Starlight has always been a determined and resourceful mare so after asking a few different ponies for directions, she successfully arrived at her destination.
Upon entering the museum, Starlight instantly knew that if any place had the answers she was looking for, this would be it.But no caveponies . she giggled to herself.
"Of course!" He answered, obviously very happy to find some pony as interested in Equestrian history as he was.
"What about an ancient unicorn settlement," Starlight asked, raising an eybrow in a very nonchalant way. "Supposedly abandoned since before Princess Luna was banished to the moon?"
"Well," the curator replied, peering over the top of his glasses at the young pink mare, "If we had any information about an old unicorn settlement, it would be in the archives." He continued. He turned his head back as he walked away toward another area of the museum. "We don't have a lot of artifacts relating to unicorns here."
This was the closest Starlight had come to to finding the ancient city she had heard about since she left Canterlot. It took all of her willpower to restrain herself from following the curator in the back to help him look.
Deep in thought, Starlight was startled when she felt the light touch of a hoof on her shoulder.
More than slightly puzzled by the obvious discomfort the curator was in after returning from the archives section, Starlight proceeded to tell him what she knew.
"Well", the curator said, "That is a curious story. "And you came all the way out here just to see if it were true? I'm sorry your search did not bear any fruit." he continued, "But it was probably just the plot from a book that your two professors were discussing. I'm afraid you've wasted you time."
Starlight was more than a little suspicious at the curators behavior. He was acting like a foal caught steeling a sweet from the store. And what did he just say about scrolls? I never mentioned scrolls. Starlight thought. She decided to play along.
"Yes! Of course!" The curator said. Obviously relieved to change the subject. "Please, enjoy. There are many exciting..." the curator went on, pointing out different things to Starlight, seeming extremely relieved to have something other than the unicorn settlement to talk about.
After the impromptu tour, the curator excused himself. It was getting late and he said he had some things to take care of before closing.
"Oh, no problem. Thank you for the tour and all the information!" Starlight said. "I just want to see a couple more things and then I too, will be on my way. Thanks again for all of your help!"
And with that, the curator disappeared back into the administration area while Starlight, pretending to look at some funny hat that resembled a cup of chocolate pudding, waited until he was gone before putting the next phase of her plan into action.
Looking around to be sure she was alone, Starlight then ducked under the red velvet ropes that separated the early pony village diorama from the visitor area. Quickly making her way to one of the replica homes, she tried the door hoping that the designers were accurate and realistic in their reconstructions. Yes! Starlight thought to herself. The door is operational. She quickly opened it and went inside, closing the door behind her.Now all I have to do is wait. She said to herself as she got as comfortable as she could in the unfinished interior of the replica home.
It was hard for Starlight not to fall asleep, tucked in as she was in the dark, cozy replica home but she knew she needed to stay alert.Time for me to go , she thought, I'm fairly sure everypony has gone home for the day. Even so, as Starlight carefully exited the replica house she remained very quiet in her movements.
EMPLOYEES ONLY
She tried the door, it was unlocked. That's rather curious, she thought. why would the curator leave this door unlocked? Especially if there was something in here that he was trying to keep secret. Maybe I'm all wrong about this. Starlight found her mind beginning to fill with doubts about what she had thought was suspicious earlier. Well, since I have already come this far, Starlight thought, I might as well see it through to the end. It's awfully dark in here. Closing the door behind her so no light would escape, Starlight lit up her horn so she could see. The room was full of shelves that dominated the space. They were loaded with relics consisting of old domestic items like pots and pans, furniture, some costumes and farming tools. There was a reading desk in one corner and next to it, another door.Starlight, you silly mare. Why must you be so jumpy! she admonished herself. With her breathing returning to normal, Starlight continued with the task at hand. She glanced at the door near the reading desk.
RESTRICTED ACCESS
This looks promising. Thought Starlight.Now, she thought, What is so valuable that it needs to be locked up in a room within a room? Easy-peasy. Thought Starlight.It was worth a try she thought, slightly amused with herself for even considering such a thing.
The room behind the door was so small, Starlight could illuminate the entire area with the light from her horn. It was not much bigger than a closet. Against the far wall was a series of shelves and besides some old jewel encrusted items, rolled up tapestries and other stuff Starlight was sure wasn't related to her search, there was a chest, about the size of a foal. Written on the lid was:Not For Public Display! "
Using great care so as not to damage them, she unrolled each one in turn, reading what was written on them. The first one had something about a treaty between the griffons and the ancient earth ponies. She set it aside. The second was full of dates and names and some kind of reward or titles. Not interested in this one either, she opened the last one. This one looked more promising.
What she read was that there were indeed a group of unicorns that did form some sort of settlement and that these "cultists" as the scroll referred to them, were planning some kind of coup and that a detachment of earth ponies, under orders from Canterlot, raided and disbanded the cult, apparently many years before Princess Luna was banished to the moon.
According to the writing on this scroll, which being written in an obscure form of Equestrian was proving difficult for Starlight to read, the earth pony detachment was ordered to arrest all the unicorns and relocate them. Breaking them up into smaller groups and resettling them in different parts of the land. Warning them that they could not re-estabilish their community under threat of imprisonment.Bingo! Starlight thought. Looking around for something to write on, she found a tablet and a pencil and quickly copied the map.This place is scary at night with all the lights off and deserted like this . She thought as the shadows from the skeletons on display seemed to follow her every move.I'm getting rather good at this. Starlight thought) and she quickly left, making sure to re-lock the door after she was out.
Now safely on the street, she could allow herself to relax somewhat. With the map securely tucked into her saddle bags, she would find someplace to sleep and in the morning, buy whatever supplies she needed and make her way to this place she hoped would have some answers!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Back to where we started...
Two days , Starlight thought. I've been wandering alone in the desert for two days and as she shook her canteen, hearing barely anything slosh about inside it, I'm almost out of water. I'd better find something soon or I'll end up like these tumbleweeds that I see, just another dried up husk on the desert floor.
Starlight couldn't last for much longer.
It's been three days now , she thought. Three days all alone, wandering in the San Palomino Desert.
After finding a map showing the location of a lost unicorn settlement, Starlight Glimmer headed out to search for it. She had heard that some unicorns had, many centuries ago, developed or practiced certain strange forms of magic. Magic that Starlight hoped would help her understand the origins and purpose of cutie marks.
After tracing the story to Manehatten, she found out the location of this mythical unicorn settlement which was, she also discovered, a secret that had been kept from the general population. Starlight was not, at the moment, concerned about why it was kept secret. All she knew was that there was powerful magic in a cutie mark and maybe, just maybe, this unicorn ghost town held some answers.
As she made her way along the hard packed sand, Starlight couldn't help but start to second guess herself. Maybe I made a mistake while copying that map. She thought to herself, I should have come across that village already. How could I have been so stupid, Starlight thought as she proceeded to massage her sore leg. Tripping on a rock. Come on Starlight, she admonished herself, you really need to pay better attention. You're all alone out here and if you're not careful, you could just as easily end up being an unsolved mystery yourself.
Having rested as much as she could afford to, Starlight packed up her cloak, checked her map against the compass she bought before leaving Manehattan to be sure she was on course, and continued on her way.
Starlight was quickly approaching a small mountain range when she spotted something nestled in a valley between two hills. The closer she got, the more she realized this was some kind of pony-made structure. There was a large pavilion as well as a series of low buildings; At least she assumed that they were buildings at one time. All that was left of them now was a series of weather beaten low walls not much taller than herself and the same color as the surrounding ground.
Even though it was well worn from centuries of disuse, the pavilion was still recognizable - thanks to its construction of white marble, which was less susceptible to wear. It had what looked like gold-colored accents in the style favored by unicorn architects.
Starlight headed past the pavilion toward the center of the town (if it could still be called that) where there was a short, round stone structure she recognized as a well.
Walking around the ruined buildings, Starlight noticed broken pieces of pottery, gardening tools and other items scattered half buried in the sand. Things a pony would not leave behind if they were moving. That, along with the pavilion, erased any doubt in her mind that this was the lost unicorn village she was searching for.
After an hour spent poking around the smaller buildings, Starlight returned to the well to see how things were progressing there.
Digging through her saddle bags, Starlight removed a large sack full of oats. Having consumed the last of her fresh food over a day ago, it was all she had left to eat. While somewhat bland on their own, oats were the perfect travel food, light and full of vitamins and minerals. One just needed some water to make them more palatable - which, Starlight was happy to say, she now had in abundance.
She walked over to the pavilion and examined it more closely. It was a circular structure about twenty meters in diameter. Built with a floor about one meter off the ground, it was encompassed by a series of steps made of the same marble as the structure itself. The walls were just smooth marble columns supporting a domed roof that was about four meters high and partially collapsed. In the center of the pavilion stood a dais about half the height of a full-grown pony. Tumbleweeds, sand, and other debris littered the floor.
Starlight started cautiously up the steps, watching them crumble slightly under her weight. "Not good" she said aloud. But she made it to the top and carefully walked around the dias, looking for a good place to roll out her sleeping bag for the night.
Crack! Starlight froze as she felt the floor under her move with the sound. She looked down to see a large, uneven crack forming beneath her hooves.
All of a sudden a section the floor gave way and she felt herself falling! Her hooves flailed in a momentary panic but being a quick thinker, Starlight regained her composure, closed her eyes and enveloped herself with a levitation spell, pausing safely in midair.
Starlight lowered herself to the stone floor and examined her new surroundings. There was a circular staircase that was fixed to the walls and led to a hatch in the ceiling above. Hanging from the walls were several tapestries. They were worn and faded, but with some light from her horn, she was able to make out the various scenes they depicted. All of them featured some variation of ponies grouped together and raising either the sun or the moon. Magic auras emanated from their horns and converged before being directed to the heavenly bodies. Starlight realized that these ponies in the tapestries had horns but no wings. They were not alicorns, as she would have expected, but just regular unicorns!
Along one wall was a bookshelf with few dozen volumes left on its shelves. There were also marble tables and benches to sit on scattered around the floor. Everything was covered in centuries worth of dust. In the center of the room was a marble pedestal and sitting on top of it was a statue. It was sculpted in the shape of a unicorn rearing up on it's hind legs. It was slightly smaller than a filly, made of gold with rubys for eyes.The unicorns must have had to leave this place in a hurry. Starlight thought, Otherwise they would have never left all of this behind. It's far too valuable.
Starlight decided to explore this place further in the morning. It had been an exhausting day and she really needed to rest. This room had been here for more than a thousand years; it would still be here tomorrow.
She decided to sleep in the open, in the corner of one of the ruined buildings. Gathering up a load of sticks, she started another small fire to keep the cold at bay as the desert got very chilly after the sun went down.
Author's Note
Special thanks goes out to Diannaria and TailsIsNotAlone for helping me see the individual trees within the forest (pre-reading and editing).
Waking with the dawn, Starlight felt refreshed both physically and mentally.
After her breakfast of oats and water, she once again made her way to the pavilion and the secret room she found hidden beneath it.I sure hope these won't fall apart the moment I touch them . Taking the book in her magic, she found that the book, while old and dry, was still legible and not so fragile that it would disintegrate under her touch.
Closing on midday, Starlight was about halfway through all the books in the room. While she had not found any that mentioned cutie marks, she had found two that contained powerful spells that were unknown to her. These she set to the side while the others, as she finished going through them, were replaced on the shelves where they came from.
Taking a break for lunch, she went up to her campsite. Restarting her fire was a simple matter given her strength had returned and so she set about boiling some water to make some porridge.
Halfway through the second stack of books, she came across the journal of the leader of this unicorn settlement.I must find this other book, Starlight thought. That spell is something I'm very curious about. Incredible! Starlight thought. What ingenuity they had, forming a completely self sufficient society so far away from civilization.
It just happened to be the last one in the stack. "Figures," she thought.The marks of talent, Starlight thought, I've never heard them referred to by that name before.
So this is it , Starlight thought, this is the origin of cutie marks . They were created, they were not natural. Very interesting.
According to the book... in the time before the marks of talent, ponies chose whatever work they wanted to do or whatever was available. But they weren't always happy. They did not feel special or unique. That is when a group of powerful unicorn mages, with the approval of the leaders of not only the unicorns but also the earth and pegasi ponies, developed a spell that would create the marks of talent.
Upon reading further, Starlight came upon a section detailing the spell necessary to remove a "Mark of Talent". According to what was written here, if by some chance a pony was unsatisfied with their mark, it could be removed using this spell. Allowing another mark to form triggered by the same formula outlined above. Not that the unicorn mages thought this a possibility but they did develop it, as the book put it, just in case.
Starlight had found everything she had come for. It was time to go. As it was getting late, she decided to leave first thing in the morning.No, Starlight thought, This is going to change. I'm going to continue what these unicorns started, she promised herself. She was going to learn from their mistakes and, one step at a time, give ponies the chance she never had.
No longer would a pony with a bakers cutie mark be forced into being a baker. A pony with a radish cutie mark would not have to be a farmer if she didn't want to. Without cutie marks, all ponies would be equal. Yes, Equal, Starlight thought, what a good, honest word. She would use this new magic she found in these books, free as many ponies as she could from oppression and eventually, spread the message of equality throughout all of Equestria.This is my foundation, she thought. With the bits I can get for selling this statue, I can fund a new colony. With the cutie mark removal spell, the new citizens of my village will live life for the first time in centuries, free of the cutie marks that have oppressed them. Starlight picked up the statue in her magic and took it with her out of the chamber.I'm not going to build a new sanctuary on the bones of the old, Starlight thought as she looked down at the twisted piece of wood she had been using to help her walk. As she did, an idea popped into her head. You're coming with me, she said. I've got a very important job for you. As Starlight left the ruins of the unicorn city she thought, I'm going to start fresh. I'm going to start new. I'm heading north. I'm going back to Manehattan. The population there is so large, there are bound to be plenty of disenfranchised ponies willing to join me in my quest.
Author's Note
Special thanks to Diannaria for pre-reading this chapter.
