The Rise of Starlight Glimmer

by CristalGalaxy

Rating: everyone
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Sad, Dark
Length: 10935

How did Starlight Glimmer get her cutie mark? What pushed her to learn a spell that could take other ponies cutie marks? We discover it through her childhood.

How did Starlight Glimmer get her cutie mark?
What troubled her so much that she became evil thinking she was doing good?
The sweet little filly that loved all and cared is gone, but… why?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-08-31 16:20:39 UTC

1. New Home

                It was a sunny day in Canterlot and everypony was happily walking around the streets, looking at what the sales ponies where offering or simply talking about their day. One family in particular was quite noticed for their little pink filly bouncing around excitedly. The purple mare with a black main that was behind her sighted :

"Starlight, darling, please stop running all over the place. You've already seen Canterlot so there's no need to be exited."

Starlight immediately stopped and walked next to her mother ears down.

"I'm sorry mom but we're going to live here!" Her ears went up a bit. " Isn't THAT worth being super exited?" She squealed the last few words.

Her mom looked at her sharply and Starlight looked down. She heard somepony laugh at her as they continued forward.

"Ugh! Dad HOW am I supposed to gain some friends with HER embarrassing me all the time?"

Starlight turned round to face her sister.

"Am not!"

"Yes you are!"

"No I'm not!"

"GIRLS!" their dad said, "we've arrived."

They had stopped in front of a modern yellow house with large windows and a big wooden door. Starlight had to stop herself from jumping up in the air and bouncing around with joy. What was her room going to look like? Where there going to be secret rooms? Is the kitchen going to be next to her room?

The family walked inside and each explored the house. Starlight dashed upstairs with her light blue sister. They both stopped in front of two doors and opened one each. Starlight peeked into the room and saw that it was quite small and that it had a beautiful view on the Canterlot Castle. She liked it!

Her big sister gasped next door and Starlight walked into the room. It had a big balcony and was huge! Twice the size of hers.

"Mine!" said her sister looking at her all evil like.

"Hey! No fair Moonlight! It's not cause you found it first that it's yours!" Starlight said.

"Uhhh yeah it does! Now get out! This is my room now so it's dorks intolerant."

"I'm not a dork! I'm going to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns in two days." Do I dare ? Starlight thought. "YOU never got into it!"

There! She said it. She shouldn't have... Her sister looked at her and a flash of anger passed through her eyes.

"Get out..." she murmured "Now!"

Starlight dashed out the door as it slammed shut behind her. She was regretting what she had said now. Her sister had always wanted to get in that school but during the test, she accidentally lit her white and silver hair on fire and didn't get in. Now that she was a teenager in her early seventeens, working hard, she was very sensitive about that. Moonlight was never going to talk to her now!

Two days later they had unpacked all their stuff and it was time for bed. Starlight was under the covers, nervous about her big day tomorrow. Her dad, Starbeam, was tucking her in. He always did that because her mom was never the most affectionate pony so she didn't hug or kiss goodnight her daughters.

"Dad?"

"Yes Starlight?"

"Can you tell me how you got your cutie mark again please?"

"I always loved looking at the stars at night and one day, for my science project, I created a beam that went up to the stars and one fell on the floor. It's now exposed at the Mainhattan museum."

Starlight nodded and turned off the lights as her father left the room.

She was almost terrified at the idea of going to school tomorrow. She knew she should have had her cutie mark by now but it just wouldn't appear! It had been very hard surviving the other fillies laughs last year. Starlight didn't want to get bullied for not having something. Her sister had always been there for her until the test accident. Now, she was cold and always grumpy.

Starlight sighted. She hoped she would find new friends. She hoped...

Her eyes closed and she fell asleep.

2. Friends!

The next morning, Starlight was awoken by her mom opening the curtains.

"Darling! Up! We must not be late for school." her mom sang.

Starlight moaned, digging deeper under her covers who where taken away from her by her mother.

"Alright, alright! You win I'm up!" Starlight squealed feeling the cold air against her body.

Her mom smiled and trotted out the room, still levitating her sheets incase her daughter had a change of mind.

Starlight got up, brushed her teeth and hair and walked down stairs to the kitchen, that sadly wasn't next to her room (she had wished it was for she liked having a midnight snack now and then). Her mom was making pancakes and her dad drinking coffee. The filly sat down at the table, asking where her sister was.

"Oh, Moonlight left earlier, her school starts an hour before yours."her dad answered.

Or maybe she just didn't want to see me, thought Starlight sadly. They had not resolved the issue between them and Starlight could not find the courage to say sorry. But she had to, and soon.

"Oh dear look at the time, her father said, Bluespace would you mind giving me a few pancakes to take to work please?"

"You're going to eat those at work?" her mother asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um... Yes?" Starbeam said sheepishly.

Bluespace sighted and put two pancakes in his briefcase. Her father thanked her and kissed his daughter on the cheek, then left.

"You're going to have to eat yours in the cab too darling. We're late!"

Starlight nodded and picked up her saddlebag (luckily she had packed it yesterday evening), pancakes in her mouth.

They both got in a cab and arrived earlier than they expected. Her mom left her in front of the school and rushed back to the cab to go to work. The pink filly went through the doors and admired the beautiful interior design of the castle. Everything was so shiny and perfect! She spotted a griffon in the hall as well as a few fillies and colts where gathered in a corner. Maybe one of them is going to be my new best friend! Starlight thought excitedly.

"Impressive!" a voice behind her said.

She turned to face a gray colt with brown hair and eyes looking up at the decor amazed. She smiled at him.

"I know right?! Can you believe we're gonna study here! It's so cool!! "

He looked at her and smiled back.

"Me too! It's going to be awesome!" His horn gave a little spark as he finished his sentence.

"I'm Starlight by the way" she said happily.

"And I'm Leafgray! Nice to meet you Starlight!" he held his hoof out and she shook it. "C'mon let's go explore!"

"Great idea!"

Leafgray trotted of to the classrooms and Starlight thought : A colt best friend? Why not! And she dashed after him. He was inspecting a closet full of brooms. His head popped out :

"I once read a book where ponies could fly on brooms so each time I see one, I check cause it would be awesome to ride one!"

"I'll help!!" She started copying him, lifting brooms up and letting them go about a feet away from the ground. Somepony tapped her shoulder and she turned around to see two fillies, one with an orange tail and main and light green fur and the other with orange fur and a light green tail and main, glaring at her in disgust.

"Are you seriously believing his nonsense about that magic broom story?" one said.

"Yeah cause it's like impossible" the other approved.

Leafgray sat up looking at his hooves.

"But it IS a possibility right?" Starlight asked.

"Well no DUH. Why would it be? Flying brooms?? How would you even ride on those?" the first filly said.

"You shouldn't hang around with that loser! I mean, just look at his cutie mark." the second filly said, pointing at Leafgray's flank.

Starlight managed to catch a glimpse of it before her friend hid it with his tail. It was an upside down horn.

"So?" she asked.

"Ugh you don't understand how much Leafgray is a baby? Still believing in fairy tales, tricking other ponies into thinking the same thing and causing disasters with his horn because of his cutie mark!"

Leafgray stood up :

"I didn't trick her! It really could be real!"

Starlight's heart shattered when she realized how sad and broken her new friend was.

"Well if you came here just to bug my friend, well I think you can leave now because... because... you're not nice at all!" she replied harshly.

Well that was pathetic, thought Starlight. The two fillies raised an eyebrow. Quick, add something!

"And...And I think those horseshoes that you're wearing are... uh... really ugly!!"

They gasped.

"We just came here to warn you and maybe give you a chance to hang out with the popular ponies but if you're going to throw a hissy fit, we might as well not!"

"Yeah! Bye looooosers!"

They both trotted off, heads high.

"Thank you" Leafgray whispered.

"It's ok!"

"Those two have been taunting me for my cutie mark ever since I've got it. I met them in magic kindergarten, they're sisters : Orangeleaf and Orangelime."

"They look alike, have the same voice and almost the same names. I'm not surprised that they're sisters."

Leafgray groaned.

"I can't believe they're at the same school as me! And in the same class!"

"How do you know that?"

"It's written on a sheet of paper outside." he said.

"Let's go see if I'm in your class!!" Starlight exclaimed.

They trotted back to the entrance when Princess Celestia passed them, her cheeks muddy, and talking with a young purple unicorn that had a streak of pink in her main. Her hooves where muddy too as well as her nose.

"What happened to them?" asked Starlight to Leafgray.

He shrugged.

"Go figure. Come on let's go!"

They  looked at the piece of paper and happily noticed that they where in the same class.

"So cool!!!!!" squealed Starlight, jumping around "Now I can defend you against those bullies!!"

"Thanks soooo much!!!!" he squealed, jumping around too "This is gonna be so much fun!!!"

A tear ran down the unicorn's face as she paused the memory orb to take a break from the scene that looked happy but brought sadness to the mare watching it.

"If only I knew..." she whispered.

3. Enemies

Starlight trotted off with her new friend to the classrooms.

"Wow!" she exclaimed once they arrived, "we're not a lot!"

"I know right? I think it's so that it's easier to make friends and listen to the teacher," Leafgray supposed.

"We're not gonna make many friends in this class for sure" Starlight frowned, pointing at the desks. There where four ponies there and two of them were Orangeleaf and Orangelime. The other two (colts) seemed to be worshipping them and all seemed close friends already. Orangelime turned to them and nudged her sister who whispered something into the colts ears. They all glared at each other. Starlight started to feel uncomfortable and murmured "let's sit down" before making her way to the two desks left, Leafgray behind her. They where in the front row and each row had two desks. Starlight wasn't sure she liked the idea of her enemies behind her. The whispers started again.

"So, how did you get your cutie mark?" asked Starlight, while they where waiting for the teacher to arrive.

"When I had my first magic surge, the whole school turned around and started to shake us all out. A...A few foals where hurt and ponies even started calling me... Discord." His voice broke and Starlight gasped. Comparing some pony to discord was so cruel! " Then at three years old, when I tried my first levitation spell on a book, it lifted a flower pot outside instead and my cutie mark appeared." He sighted "It means that my magic will never obey me. An upside down horn is bad luck..."

Starlight put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, look at the bright side! At least you got your cutie mark!" she said, staring sadly at her blank flank.

"Yeah..." he smiled  "thanks".

She smiled back and saw the teacher come in.

"Alright claaaass. Good to know that you're all heeeeere! Now I am sorryyyyyy for my voiiiiiice but some pony (her eyes narrowed as she looked at one of the colts at the back of the class) thought it would be funnyyyyy to cast a speeeeeell on meeeeee."

"Ugh Celestia this is going to be a lonnnnng hour" moaned one of the sisters behind Starlight, mimicking the teacher.

" Nowwww, open your boooooks at page forty threeeeee", she chirped.

"Ummm excuse me miss but WHAT IS your name" asked Orangeleaf, "you like totally forgot to tell us."

Starlight's mind was blown. No pony in Celestia's school was allowed to speak like that to their teacher! Even the teacher herself looked a little startled by the disdain in Orangeleaf's voice. If she acted so mean with an adult, what was it going to be like with her?

"Welllll uh my name is Mrs. Trinityyyyy. Nowwww as I was sayiiiing, open your boooooks page for-

"Miss! We didn't introduce ourselves! You simply CAN'T forget about THAT" interrupted Orangelime.

Mrs. Trinity gritted her teeth, obviously already having enough of these pesky sisters.

"Of couuuurse if you want" she turned to Starlight"You! Go firssssst".

A little nervous, Starlight stood up and said " uh... my name is Starlight and I am really happy to uh... be here".

She quickly sat back down, embarrassed as she heard the colts at the back snicker.

Leafgray was next and he too was nervous. Orangelime and Orangeleaf came after him, assuring that they will be the best and proudly talking about their good grades in everything. The two colts where the last ones to speak :

"I'm Clearwater!" said the light blue and white colt with crazy hair.

"And I'm Darklick" the other red and black colt said proudly.

"That's a weird name", whispered Leafgray. He was apparently heard by Orangeleaf who turned her head and smirked.

"It's no better than yours!"

"Hey!" exclaimed Starlight.

"Ooops sorry! I forgot you had a guard dog Lamegray!" Orangeleaf said and every pony laughed.

"Now girls please stop..."

"Don't you speak to me like that!" Starlight interrupted, not even hearing the teacher speak over her anger.

"It won't happen again your highness". Orangeleaf bowed and every pony was laughing.

"Stop!"

"Does the blank flank object to what I am saying?" Every pony was still laughing... laughing... LAUGHING.

"SHUT UP!" Starlight screamed as some light started flashing from her horn. A huge magic blast was sent right to Orangeleaf who yelped. She fell to the floor as Mrs.Trinity rushed pass them, checking if the filly was okay. Her eyes seemed to be unfocused because she kept moving them around. Finally she stood up on wobbly legs.

"OMC Orangeleaf are you okay??" her sister squealed, terrified.

"My... my flank hurts! Really bad too! I think... I think" she looked at it and screamed, tears coming out of her eyes" NO! OH CELESTIA WHY?"

"What is it?" Mrs.Trinity asked, worried.

Then Orangeleaf walked right up to Starlight, now fully crying.

"You... You MONSTER!! MY CUTIE MARK! YOU TOOK IT OFF OF ME!"

Every pony started panicking, backing away from Starlight or screaming. Starlight, on the other hoof, was quite confused. She couldn't have TAKEN a cutie mark from some pony right??

"STOP! NOW ALL OF YOU SIT... DOWN!!" yelled Mrs.Trinity" Starlight has not taken Orangeleaf's cutie mark, look! It's still there!"

All the classroom fell silent. Orangeleaf's cutie mark was on her flank, where it was supposed to be. She looked at it and stopped sobbing.

"B...But it wasn't there a minute ago and... and the... she... my flank hurts really bad!"

"Darling" Mrs.Trinity explained patiently, "your flank hurts probably because of that magic blast Miss. Glimmer sent to you and with all the magic dust everywhere, you surely had a few hallucinations. Now, you go to the washrooms and put some cold water on your face okay? Darklick, go with her please. "

They both walked out of the door and the teacher turned to them.

"No pony will be punished because I don't want to punish my whole class on the first hour of the first day."

"But why WOULD you punish us all miss? Just punish Starlight for almost killing my sister and Leafgray for saying something mean" squealed Orangelime, still under shock.

"First of all, Starlight didn't almost kill your sister, she only sent a little blast of magic at her, she doesn't have her cutie mark so she can't be blamed too seriously".

"Blank flank!" muttered Clearwater.

"And also, she could have never gotten carried away if you all weren't laughing at them. Finally I have a good reason to punish Darklick for the little prank he pulled at me and can be very thankful that it wore off soon".

Orangeleaf and Darklick returned and sat back down as Mrs. Trinity asked all of them to say sorry to each other. The two sisters did it through gritted teeth and Clearwater said "Sorry blank flank!". Darklick said it quickly and without looking at her. On the contrary, Leafgray kept looking at her intensely and... was it fear in his eyes?

During all that time, Starlight had remained in a sort of world of her own. Everything was fuzzy. She could still see the blast she sent to Orangeleaf. But... She also clearly remembered the fact that Orangeleaf's cutie mark HAD disappeared. At least for a short moment and she couldn't explain that. A grey patch of fur had appeared then disappeared on her flank in a matter of micro seconds, too fast for Starlight to see what it was. She still didn't have her cutie mark though and wondered why.

But most importantly of all, she wondered why didn't she feel bad about stealing Orangeleaf's cutie mark for a moment?

In the classroom, two pairs of eyes were watching her, for they had seen Orangeleaf's cutie mark disappear too...

4. Breakdown

"Hey... Um, you okay?" asked Leafgray while they were walking to their next class.

"Oh yeah sure... I guess" said Starlight. "It's just that I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't get my cutie mark" she lied.

"A cutie mark in stealing other ponies ones? That would be what you want?"

"I don't... know. It didn't feel THAT bad. Plus she got what she deserved and..." Starlight stopped speaking and turned to him" I mean, It didn't disappear! You heard what Mrs.Trinity said! Just a hallucination".

Leafgray looked at her, hurt.

"Please don't lie to me. I saw what happened and it did disappear for a short period of time. It's okay to tell me I can keep a secret."

"Thanks and sorry. Did I look evil? I mean does that make me evil ?"

Leafgray was embarrassed. His new friend DID look evil now but he certainly didn't want to hurt her feelings or lie.

"Well... Yeah kind of but that doesn't mean you have to do evil stuff or that you are" he said gently.

"Okay um... Thanks Leafgray" Starlight whispered and turned away. But Leafgray had the time to see a tear in her eyes.

Three months later it had gotten worse, much much worse. Starlight had never gotten any magic surges again but Leafgray and her were bullied. Very, very bullied.

When Orangeleaf's sister had been feeling better, she started complaining about how much her flank still hurt while the other ponies exaggerated the story every time they had a chance to. Now, Starlight had yelled at Orangelime that she was the stupidest filly in all equestria, then she fired several blasts of black magic at her laughing to finally cower in front of the teacher when she realized that she had wanted to kill a sweet and innocent filly. At first Starlight and Leafgray fought against those lies but realized it was no use so they just let it happen. Perhaps Darklick was the "nicest" because he would never laugh as hard or invent stuff about her for some reason.

Life was a gray mess. The only things Starlight cared about were Leafgray and her studies. Even her family was never the answer. Her sister still hated her and for a few weeks now, her mother and father were fighting a lot.

Yep. That's me. Having to have to hide from bullies at school and living in a broken family. Ha! What a life, Starlight thought with anger while walking towards the exit of the building. She stopped to stare at her reflection in the windows. Tired eyes, ears down and a frown on her face she certainly was a sight. Starlight shook her head and trotted outside in the sun, feeling the fresh air against her.

After class was the best time of the day! She would teleport in a nearby tree where no pony ever found her and would wait for Leafgray to plan fun stuff to do. He was the best friend ever. Maybe one day they would be more than friends?

Starlight teleported onto one of the branches and a few seconds later, Leafgray appeared next to her. He always went back home before their secret meetings to put his saddle bag down, first of all because the less weight he was carrying, the better his magic was and also, his house was only a few minutes away.

"Hey!" Starlight said brightly,"I've got a great thing for us to do cause I saw a nest in the..."

She stopped and frowned at her friend. He wasn't jumping up and down or smiling excitedly. He was just... sitting there, his head down.

"Uh... You okay Leafgray?" she asked, concerned.

He looked up and she noticed a few tears in his eyes.

"Starlight I... I can't do this anymore. Every day I get bullied! Every single day is a new way to cower back in front of some stupid ponies. I can't take it. Please I need to get away from all of this."

Shocked, she looked at the pleading eyes in front of her. Never had she seen some pony so sad and... broken. Sure Leafgray was taunted a little more than her but there would be no reason for him to be this sad. Unless, something else had happened.

"What happened Leafgray?" Starlight asked feeling a shiver run up her back. "What happened at your house?"

"I was... I WAS ADOPTED" he screamed, tears in his eyes and rolling down his cheeks.

For a moment, Starlight just stared at him, processing what he had just said. Then she realized and took her friend in her arms without really thinking. He cried for a few minutes in her shoulder and then explained that his mother and father were divorcing (maybe that was going to happen to Starlight too!) and that they had just said that he was adopted when he got back home.

"But maybe they were angry and said it like that?" Starlight said, still hugging her friend.

"No because my mom was shocked that my dad said that and immediately stopped fighting. Then my dad said that I had to know one day and I ran strait to here. I think my mom was crying after" he sobbed.

"Don't you worry Leafgray! I promise that one day, no pony will be all sad and lonely! Every pony will be happy and have a good friend to rely on!" Starlight said"And, I won't ever leave you Leafgray, thats a promise. I mean it!".

"Yeah... Thanks Starlight, that's really nice of you" he answered.

But what if I leave you? thought Leafgray as he smiled at her.

The next day Leafgray didn't go to class. Nor the day after. Or the day after that.

At first Starlight thought that he would stay in his house for a couple of days to recover but started to get worried on the third day.

It was one o'clock, the time for the classes to start again. Starlight wasn't very happy.

At lunchtime, she had tried to approach the little purple unicorn that she had seen with the princess on her first day but she was reading and didn't seem to care about making a new friend.

So Starlight was in a bad mood as she sat down for her History of Equestria class. The chair next to her was empty...

"Oh! Careful guys! Heres the blank flank. Get away from her or she might blast your flank away!" said Clearwater hastily.

"What happened to your little friend there Starfright? What was his name again?" Orangeleaf asked her sister.

"Oh uh... Lamegray!" Orangelime said, pretending to think.

"Yeah Lamegray, thats it! So where is he? Did he get tired of you and move away?"

"I certainly would" whisperer-shouted Darklick, almost fearful.

"Ugh baby!" Clearwater said, nudging him.

Starlight didn't care about anything they said except for the "Leafgray moving away" part. He wouldn't have done that right?

Their teacher arrived and behind him stood... Princess Celestia! Every filly and colt gasped and they all bowed.

"Oh there's no need for that my little ponies" she said smiling. "I have just come here to deliver some news".

Her face darkened and she looked a little short of words.

"As most of you must have seen, your classmate Leafgray has not been here for the last few days. I am in the deep regret to tell you that he won't be at the school for... a very long time".

Starlight's eyes widened.

"B... But why?" she asked tears in her eyes.

Princess Celestia looked at her with some kind of loving and sad look.

"Your friend Leafgray has committed suicide. He was found yesterday night."

5. The Spell

A deadly silence reigned in the classroom.

Starlight's eyes widened. Her mouth started to tremble. And then, the realization hit her, like millions of icy shards. A shiver went through her whole body. Her legs gave under her and she fell to the floor, sobbing.

She didn't ask why or when or didn't even say 'No! It's impossible! He would never do that!' but she knew it would be no use. Her friend was devastated enough to commit suicide. Being bullied was already hard, but finding out you were adopted while your parents divorced and being told that in a fight must be more than a colt can manage. She would maybe have done the same thing...

Starlight couldn't remember much after she collapsed, only that the Princess took her in her arms to make her feel better. She was thankful for that and had been sent home for the day. Starlight didn't even know if the others cried. Probably not. They never cared anyways.

Her mom was besides her, comforting her by stroking her mane and whispering that she was the best daughter and friend any pony could ever have and that Leafgray must have been proud. It was the first time her mom hugged her since she was a baby. It felt... good. But not good enough.

It was 9 o'clock when Starlight woke up. She must've fallen asleep while her mom was hugging her. She had missed diner but saw a plate of salad in front of her door. Thanking her mother, she picked the bowl up and saw a note :

Hey sis. I still kinda hate you for the whole Celestia's school thing but It must be pretty lame to loose a friend like that so I guess I forgive you. Like you missed diner, I brought this for you. Enjoy!

Starlight's eyes became watery again. A memory of Leafgray flashed through her mind.

"Hey Starlight!" he said. "Look!" and he lifted a tomato with his magic to throw it in the air and catch it in his mouth. It landed strait on his face, splashing every where. Starlight laughed and he blushed.

"Stop blushing Leafgray! You look too much like a tomato already!" she managed to say between her giggles.

He looked at her confused. Then he started to laugh a little, then a few seconds later they where both laughing on the floor.

Starlight was crying hard now, still hearing their giggles of happiness echoing through her mind.

Why him? Why not some pony else? Like Clearwater or one of the two sisters? They should've died!

Anger started to replace Starlight's sadness.

If Clearwater hadn't been so mean and a slave to the sisters, then he would have been our friend and I would be happily laughing with him and Leafgray in our tree! If the two sisters weren't so idiot, stupid and really really really...

"MEAN!" yelled Starlight.

She calmed herself and walked to her huge window. It was a beautiful night and the streets looked almost ghostly under the moonlight. But Starlight couldn't enjoy the beauty of Celestia's night for once. She walked over to her bed and slid under the covers, her anger slowly fading. Her eyes closed.

Goodnight Leafgray.

Starlight woke up and it was still night. She went downstairs to make some tea. It always helped her sleep.

She stopped in front of teapot and yawned, her eyes closed.

When she opened them, a dark forest had replaced her kitchen.

Ugh, am I dreaming? she thought lazily.

A window popped up and she peeked inside.

She saw herself laughing in the tree where she would meet Leafgray. He was there too. She was hanging down from a branch and her mane was super messy! He was laughing so hard that he fell off the branch and Starlight caught him with her magic.

"Don't worry Leaf'! I'll always be there to catch you when you fall!" she squealed and he smiled gratefully to her.

The image darkened and Starlight saw Orangeleaf, Orangelime and the two others walking by and stopping in front of their upside down faces. There was a moment of silence and Orangeleaf pushed Leafgray, yanking him off of his friend's magic. Clearwater nudged Darklick and he made a puddle of mud appear under the poor Leafgray who fell strait in it.

"Where was Starfright just then when you needed her help?" Orangelime smirked, " I thought she said she'd always catch you when you fell!"

The real Starlight gritted her teeth. She remember that memory! It had happened  about a month ago. But then something caught her eye. Instead of walking away laughing, the group silently turned their heads towards her with a creepy smile.

What's going on? This didn't happen in the memory! And why are they looking at ME and not memory Starlight? the pink filly thought, unconsciously taking a step back from the window.

Orangelime looked at her with crazy eyes :

" Yeah Starlight! You said you'd always catch him, but where were you when he jumped off that cliff?"

Starlight's throat tightened and she started to have some trouble breathing as the others repeated 'Where were you Starlight, where were you?'. Those echoing words through her head started to grow and she had the feeling that her brain was going to explode.

"I... I didn't know he would do that! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Leafgray!" she screamed in fright.

The poor mud dripping Leafgray was starting to cry in agony as his skin slowly began to peel off.

"Leafgray!" screamed Starlight, hitting the window with all her strength. "Leafgray!!"

In a matter of seconds, there was a single little skeleton lying on the floor. Everything else had disappeared. The skeleton stood up on shaky hooves and started walking forwards, to a cliff.

"Wait! No get away from there!! Leafgray!"

He jumped.

"LEAFGRAY!" yelled Starlight and the window disappeared. She backed away and curled up in a ball on the floor, sobbing in shock. All her fault... It was all her fault! She was the pony who hadn't been a good enough friend...

She stayed like that for a few minutes until...

"Staaarlight?" said a voice behind her.

"No... No! Get away from me whoever you are!"

"But I won't hurt you! I just want to help you."

"Help me?" she got up and looked around "How? And... Where are you?"

"I like to hide because I belong to the shadows but I can still help".

"Alright" said Starlight, "Tell me".

"It's simple! Avenge Leafgray and you will feel better! You didn't do anything. It was THEM! Your enemies! They hurt you and bullied you and killed your friend! Are you really going to let them blame that on you?"

"N... No?"

"NO!" the voice screeched. " They are the ones who killed Leafgray! They must be punished..."

"But I can't really punish them! They're stronger than me."

"Yes you can Starlight..." the voice said in a creepy tone.

Starlight frowned.

"But..." then she realized. "Kill them?? You want me to kill some pony else? No way!"

The mysterious voice seemed to be enjoying this, as there was a hint of laughter in her next sentence :

"You don't have to kill them. No no that is much too nice as a punishment!"

She paused.

"Make them suffer."

That word sounded wrong to Starlight's ears. It had something in it. The way that pony said it was in a bad way too.

"Suffer?" she asked.

"Yes, torture!"

Now that word she knew. And it was the worst possible thing to do to any pony. The pony hiding in the shadows was certainly mad. She had to get out of here now!

"Wait!" said the voice as if she had read the filly's mind, "Not anything... physical if you know what I mean. Just something that you would take away from them like... their Cutie Marks."

"What? But how would I do that?" asked Starlight, getting curious.

A piece of paper appeared in front of her. It was torn and muddy but she could read out : "Cutie Mark Disappearances".

"Take it. Learn the spell. And get your revenge!"

"I'm still not sure this is a good idea", said Starlight.

"Imagine it, a world where every pony doesn't have their cutie marks, no bullying, no loneliness! Friendship everywhere! If no pony is equal, there will always be fights and sadness. With that spell you can make a better place. Trust me Starlight, I'm right. Equality is Friendship. Remember what happened to Leafgray? Do you want that to happen to another filly or colt that can't take anymore of life?"

"No! Of course not!"

"Then get out there and learn that spell! Avenge your friend! You should start by punishing and making things right with your bullies. And if they don't like it, do what you have to do..."

"I will" said Starlight as she picked up the piece of paper.

The world started moving around her, probably because she was waking up. She smiled at the idea of tomorrow. It was going to be a good day. A very good day.

"I will..."

6. Secrets

Starlight woke up feeling good. Very good. She got out of bed and noticed a sheet of old paper on her pillow : Cutie Mark Disappearances

Perfect!

It was raining outside but to her, the world was sunshine and rainbows. She trotted down stairs for breakfast excitedly :

"Hi mom!" she said sitting down at the kitchen table.

Her mom looked at her with a frown and her dad lifted his head from his newspaper. He never lifted his head from his newspaper.

"Good morning darling..." said her mom a little wearily. "It's nice to see you've recovered from the... incident."

Oh yeah! That.

"Well... I'm trying to forget it because it's gonna chase me for the rest of my life if I don't. So I'm looking at things on the bright side! Like the fact that you are all very nice to me and that Moonlight is very nice too so I'm guessing that I have to be very nice then!"

"Wait, I have to be nice to who??" asked her dad confused.

"To every pony! And if every pony is nice to every pony then the world will be a better place. That's what I'm gonna do. Make the world a waaaay better place. Like that no pony will ever commit... suicide".

Starlight's left eye twitched when she said that word but she shook herself and trotted back to her room.

"That was fast! and what about breakfast?!" called her mother from the kitchen.

"I'm uh... not hungry anymore! I've got to do... stuff..." answered Starlight, not looking back.

She heard her father get up and start to trot agitatedly around the kitchen.

"Are you sure we shouldn't go see a doctor? She's recovered in just one night!" he said.

"Listen, maybe she is just hiding her feelings. It's not easy to loose some pony like that and she probably doesn't want us to keep looking out for her" answered her mother.

"Yeah... Maybe a good night sleep was all she needed. Or maybe she dreamed of him and it made her feel better".

Starlight continued her way to her room.

"You have no idea" she whispered to herself all evil like.

Starlight locked her door and turned back to her bed where she had hidden the spell. She took it out and read it.

"Hmm let's see... Focus deeply during the spell... You must be able to perfectly control levitation and teleporting spells before trying... Make sure no pony sees you... Blah blah blah... Sparks of magic must come out of your horn... Don't forget to breathe... Wait... WHAT?!"

Starlight read the bottom line again.

"This spell can take weeks to manage" she read, " Please use with caution...?? Sheesh! Who writes these?" frowned Starlight.

Then she frowned. Yeah... Who writes these? I can't remember seeing the face of the pony in my dream. Come to think of it, she helped me with a lot and I never saw who she really was!

But her doubts cleared as she recalled what good things she would bring to society if she learned the spell. Cutie marks were indeed a big problem. And she was going to fix it.

"Starlight!" shouted Bluespace for the fourth time "come down and eat your dinner, it's going to get cold!"

"Maybe she's not hungry", suggested her husband staring hungrily at the herb soup she had made.

"But the poor thing hasn't eaten for two days now! She's going to starve if this continues" replied Bluespace.

"Mom, I left her a bowl of salad yesterday and you told me she was acting fine this morning so we shouldn't be too bothered" Moonlight shrugged.

"I know, I know. Please, can you carry some soup up for her darling? Then we can start" said the anxious mother.

Moonlight rolled her eyes and lifted a portion of the herb soup with her horn, then climbed up the stairs and across the hallway. She stopped in front of her little sister's door and put it down. She was about to leave when something caught her eye.

It was a flash of blue, near the keyhole. Moonlight put her eyes to its level and peeked through. What she saw left her stunned.

Starlight was floating in the middle of the room, engulfed in her blue magic. She was reading out loud a piece of paper that was in front of her. It was some kind of ancient spell that Moonlight did not recognize. It was the kind of spell that older ponies would learn, not twelve year old fillies!

Starlight finished reading it and closed her eyes in concentration. Sparks of energy were flying everywhere. A sudden blast of magic shot out of her horn and hit her little princess Celestia doll. Her sister frowned. Was Starlight trying to kill the princess or something?

Everything calmed down and the magic cleared away to leave a rather sweaty pink filly in the middle. She gazed at her doll and picked it up to look at it's flank. Moonlight found that a little disturbing until her little sister jumped up in the air :

"YES!" she squealed and looked at the flank again. Her happiness faded away and she groaned. "Ugh! A few seconds for all of that concentration? And every pony is going to suspect something if I start talking out loud during the spell. It's got to be discrete if I'm going to do this. Perhaps if I think of them a different way or that I learn how to teleport further away..."

Moonlight backed away from the door. This certainly wasn't homework! That spell was the most complicated spell she had ever heard of! And why was her sister hiding all that? Why would any pony suspect anything during the performance of it?

She shook her head and knocked on the door. Starlight's muttering stopped and the door opened. Her face brightened up at the sight of her sister.

"Hey Moonlight! What are you doing here? By the way thank you so much for the salad yesterday! It was really nice of you" she chirped.

What about that spell you just did??!

"Uh, no prob Starlight. Come on down, dinner is served" Moonlight said a little stunned.

"Wow did I miss mom calling me?"

"Yeah, what were you doing?" asked her sister.

"Ohhhh nothing just listening to music and stuff. Let's eat!" and she rushed down the stairs.

Why are you lying to me?

Moonlight followed her sister and sat at the table as they began to eat.

"What were you doing up there honey?" asked Bluespace to her youngest daughter.

"Music," she replied, too busy eating to even look up.

"And... What like... homework do you have ? You know I just want to see if you're learning big stuff yet" her sister asked, carefully looking at her.

"Nah, we've only just started to learn teleportation spells and I am really bad! I'm going to have to study hard," Starlight answered smiling.

How the heck did you learn to lie so well?!

"You do know that If ever you need something, we're here," said Starbeam, "Right?"

The other two nodded and Starlight thanked them.

She later went to bed, leaving the three 'alone' in the kitchen.

"She definitely is not better" sighted Starbeam.

"Yeah!" said Moonlight, "I saw..."

She stopped. Maybe she could keep this a secret until she finds out more...? Yes. That was probably a better idea than scaring her parents.

"Nothing, never mind".

The family went silent again. Moonlight tried to think of something to say but couldn't. She finally gave up and yawned.

"I'm going to bed too. Goodnight!"

Her parents wished her a good night too and she left the kitchen. While going to her room, she crossed Starlight's door and could not resist taking a look inside.

Her little sister had drawn calculations in the air and was surrounded by books of all kinds. She was still muttering to herself and kept modifying the writings on the piece of torn up paper.

Moonlight continued her way back to her bedroom and snuggled in her bed. She turned the lights off and closed her eyes.

Then a scary thought hit her. What if her sister was trying to bring her friend back from the dead?!

Images of ghosts and ghoul ponies crossed her mind and she cowered under the covers, shaking a little.

Great.

7. Progress

Starlight Glimmer was woken up by her mother, as usual, to go to school.

"Starlight! Up!" she chirped opening the curtains. Then she turned to her daughter who was lazily opening her eyes. "Did you sleep we..."

Starlight sat up and raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"How long did you stay awake last night ?" exclaimed the blue mare, noticing black circles around her eyes.

"I... studied" said Starlight.

"Oh... Sure if you studied then I guess that's fine but don't forget to get some sleep".

"Okay mom. I'll remember that, " yawned the pink filly, getting out of bed.

Her mother then left the room and Starlight trotted towards her cupboard. She opened it and took out her precious spell, admiring all the writings that were on it now.

She had gone to bed at two o'clock in the morning because she had spent the night modifying and re modifying the writings on it.

So Celestiadamm hard!

"Starlight! Breakfast! We're already late!" yelled her father from downstairs.

"Yep!" she yelled back, "Coming!"

Then she carefully slipped her Celestia doll and her spell in her saddle bag before rushing downstairs.

Starlight sat down at the table and devoured her oats.

She could feel her father's glare on her but didn't mind.

It was only when she had finished her bowl that her sister came in the kitchen.

"Good heavens Moonlight! What have you two girls been up too last night?" exclaimed her mother for the second time.

"Oh you know... I had a few nightmares..."

"About what honey?"

"Ghoul ponies and all that stuff" replied Moonlight, sitting down as well.

"That's funny... I didn't think you'd have nightmares like that at your age. I wonder where their coming from..." wondered their mother.

"Me too mom" answered Starlight's sister gloomily, "Me too..."

Okay Starlight! Mental focus... They're responsible for your best friend's death but that doesn't mean you have to treat them badly... Their punishment will come soon enough... thought Starlight in front of the school doors.

She entered the building and trotted to her classroom, wearing a big smile on her face.

Right, now you're in the classroom. You're going to sit down and ignore the empty seat ext to you. Ignore! There! And now like there's no pony here yet, you're going to practice your spell a bit.

Starlight took the torn piece of paper out of her saddle bag and immediately got working.

She reviewed the important points of it and what should be taken seriously, counting the ups and downs of what would happen if she did the spell on some pony.

She was so absorbed by her work that she didn't notice Darklick coming in.

He crept behind her and then gently tapped her on the shoulder.

"Gah!" shouted Starlight, quickly putting everything back in her saddle bag and turning around. "W... What is it?"

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you..." murmured a sheepish Darklick. "I just wanted to say I was sorry for what happened to..."

"No worries bro!" interrupted Starlight. "It's fine, it's all good!"

"But...!"

"I said it's all good Darklick." mumbled Starlight, giving him a glare.

"Y... Yes! I'm so sorry to have interrupted your uh... work Glim... I mean Starlight!" he said and rushed to his seat.

Starlight's anger disappeared as she watched him sit down, not looking at her and hiding his face with his mane.

"Are you... afraid of me Darklick?" asked Starlight, curious.

He lifted his head and stared at her.

"I dunno why okay?! It's just that... ever since there were these rumors about you making a cutie mark disappear, I guess I've been kinda scared yeah. This cutie mark took me ages to get and you have no idea how much I'm happy to have  it."

"So you're just licking my hooves so I won't make your cutie mark disappear is that it?" said Starlight, raising and eyebrow.

"No! I just feel bad you know? It's my fault that your friend... well..." He sighted. "I was wondering if we could be friends? I don't like being a bully."

Starlight's mouth gaped open.

Are you bucking kidding me?! No way I'm having you as a friend!

"No sorry" muttered Starlight, turning around. "I've got too much work to do".

"Oh... Yeah. Right. I understand!"

Starlight ignored him and focused on her spell again.

Sparks of magic would sometimes come out of her horn, scaring Darklick.

Then she heard some noise in the entrance of the classroom and turned around to face the ponies that had 'murdered' her friend.

A deadly silence took place as Orangeleaf and Orangelime stared directly at the pink filly, glaring at her with no intention of saying they were sorry.

Starlight returned the glare, putting her every bit of suffering and pain in it mixed with the anger and feeling that she wanted to hurt with it.

Clearwater was the first to back off and sit next to Darklick in the back.

Starlight was about to stand up and march towards them when the teacher entered.

"Class! Please take your seats!" Miss. Trinity said in a serious voice. "I don't want any commotion about what happened. No fights, no arguments, no nothing!"

Starlight looked at her with curiosity. She seemed very self confident...

"Today I'm going to be teaching you about the great evil in Equestria. As you know, there have been many villains before..."

Starlight lost interest and started fiddling with her mane. Her thoughts were racing as she knew that it wouldn't be much longer before she could perform the spell on some pony. She had to think about who though...

The pesky sisters would be a great choice for revenge and stuff but they would be hard to get. Save that for later... Maybe Clearwater? No. His powers were a little too good for her.

Then that left... Darklick. He was weak... And he seemed like the type of pony who wouldn't cause a ruckus if he disappeared. Also, Starlight could surely get him away from others.

She decided to start to befriend him right now and wrote a note that she levitated to him, making sure no pony else saw it.

Darklick on the other side of the classroom was staring at her. Why had he said that he was scared of Starlight? It wasn't that... It wasn't that at all!

Why was it so hard to reveal his feelings to her?

He had always known that Leafgray would be and obstacle to him and had simply followed the others, knowing that one day they would break him.

But his plan had backfired for Starlight apparently appreciated him more than he thought and she had no intention on becoming his friend.

Darklick sighted. If Starlight wasn't at least his friend, she could never be more!

Suddenly, a note gently fell in front of his nuzzle.

He groaned for it was surely another plan to bully Starlight.

The black colt unfolded the piece of paper :

Hey Darklick! I thought about what you said earlier. I'm sorry if I rejected your friendly offering. Now I accept it! So are we friends now?

Love, (as a friend DUH) Starlight.

Darklick jerked his head up in surprise and saw the pink filly turning around to wink at him.

His heart started to beat faster and he felt a warm sensation in his belly.

He nodded, smiling and she smiled back, turning to the teacher.

Darklick was overcome with joy... He had a chance!

"Starlight!" shouted somepony, barging in her room.

"Yes?" she quickly asked, putting the memory orb down and turning round to see a white stallion.

"A pony named Sugar Bell just arrived here!"

"How wonderful!" smiled Starlight. "Tell her I'll be down in just a few moments."

"Of course!" The white stallion bowed and before leaving, he turned his head back to her. "What were you doing?"

Starlight took a deep breath to calm herself and put on a reassuring smile.

"Just looking at a few old memories..."

8. Notes

Starlight yawned.

Then she widened her eyes.

Oops! That wasn't very discrete... or polite!

She gave a shaky smile to her maths teacher -a griffon- and received a glare back.

The teacher just sighted and continued writing numbers on the black board.

Starlight gave her 'friend' Darklick a smile.

He gave one back and stared at her for a long time.

He's the only one that can sort of intimidate me... and freak me out when I catch him watching me like that... proudly thought Starlight.

It's true that he could become creepy, staring at her sometimes without saying anything.

Hormones...

Starlight had learned everything she could for the past few weeks about advanced stuff.

She had gone up to reading books about things that even her sister hadn't learned about yet.

And on the way, she had discovered things that could make her wave 'bye bye!' to her childhood.

Starlight shivered.

The images in that book...

Then again, all that studying had led to good progress in her cutie mark spell.

It's true that it did keep her awake at night, making her tired and leaving black circles around her eyes every morning but... It was worth it!

Soon, Darklick will have the honor of being my first test subject!

She could already make a cutie mark disappear for a week! And she knew exactly how to make it last forever...

Suddenly, something hit her head.

Starlight passed her hoof through her mane to see what it was and discovered a little piece of paper rolled up in a ball that she undid.

'Good morning Starfright! We hope you didn't sleep well... You were probably just thinking about your stupid dead friend anyways...

But we're just gonna get to the point okay?

We HATE you (just so it's clear) and had no intention on doing anything for you... But since we really want to get the princess back in our hooves, then we're gonna invite you to a party the Sunday in three weeks.

Just be there okay? And don't wear anything horribly hideous (cuz we're sure your closet is full of horrible outfits... If you're rich enough to buy them...)

Ps : Get away from Darklick. He's OUR pet and we don't wanna let you flirt with him like that.'

Starlight just growled.

Those fillies were pathetic! It was hilarious actually...

But the pink filly decided to reply anyways.

'Hey! I see the pests can write... I never knew you could do that?

But I don't want to go to your freak party. Just let me go okay?

I've gotten stronger and I'm sure you two don't want one of your cutie marks disappearing again...

Ps Answer : I'm keeping Darklick :)'

Then she threw it over her shoulder as fast as she could and focused her attention back to the teacher.

Starlight's grin turned into a big smile when she heard two silent gasps behind her.

That's the way it works gals...

A note came back and she opened it.

'We're afraid we have to insist.

There is no way you can deny such a social event!

There will be every pony from the classroom.

Also, we aren't scared of your stupid little powers! They SUCK.

OUR cutie marks are amazing!

But anyways just come okay?'

Starlight decided to reply.

'Your cutie marks are... WHAT?! Ha! An orange with a leaf on it and the exact same thing but with a lime next to it on the other pest...

I reckon that's a farmer cutie mark! Climbing trees like monkeys and getting all the fruit.

Now THAT is your destiny ;)

And I don't want to come. That's my final word.

Stop sending me notes, I wanna concentrate!'

Starlight was quite satisfied of her answer and threw the note, concentrating on her spell.

Only just about a week and it would be ready!!

So exiting!

But then she would have to practice on other ponies... Who could they be?

A piece of paper landed on her

desk :

'This is the last time we're asking you!

We really want to be forgiven by the princess... So uh yeah come.

And we're smart! You're the stupid one!'

For the first time, Starlight considered going.

It would be great practice for her! And she had plenty of time to perfect the spell...

Plus... Who cared if more killers disappeared along with their cutie marks??

But she still decided to mock them a little.

'What's the magic word?' she wrote, already chuckling at the faces they'd make.

The answer came after.

This is starting to get old smiled the pink filly.

'You are really annoying Starfright! But please come anyways.'

Starlight smiled and turned to them, giving them a big nod and winking.

Their glare just made her chuckle more.

"So what were you talking about?" asked Darklick once class was done.

"Oh nothing..." smiled Starlight.

There's no need to tell him about the party...

After all... He won't be there anymore when it takes place...

9. Testing

Finally... I can do it. This... This is amazing! I have to go find Darklick!

Starlight bolted out of her room and grabbed her saddle bag, not caring if her parents or sister heard her.

This was the night. This was the night.

The night where she had finally managed to take off her Celestia doll's cutie mark. And this time, it was permanent.

She could feel it in her body that it was. She could feel that she had succeeded.

Starlight opened the front door and didn't close it, still not worrying about waking any pony up.

She ran through the empty streets of Canterlot under the full moon that was gently glowing.

Finally, she arrived in front of Darklick's house and climbed up his wall to his window, using the vines that were hanging here and there.

Starlight gently tapped the window pane, trying to make as less noise as possible.

After a few seconds the window opened :

"What... Starlight?! The hell are you doing here at this time of night?"

"Shhhhh!" scolded Starlight, putting a hoof on his mouth. "Come with me I'll explain on the way there!"

Darklick nodded and closed the window, trying to hide his blush.

He appeared on the doorstep a couple of minutes later.

"So what is it?!"

"Follow me!" just whispered Starlight, trotting back towards the border of Canterlot.

Darklick followed her, surprised.

About fifteen minutes later, Starlight arrived at a halt in front of a cliff.

Darklick stopped next to her.

"What are we doing here?"

If my calculations are correct, what I'm going to do next is going to totally make him my slave...

"I just wanted to... experience something..." murmured Starlight, getting closer to him and taking a sensual voice and trying to act as cute as possible.

"Wha... What's that?"

Starlight turned around him, taking slow steps. "An experience..."

She brushed her tail on his cheek and interiorly chuckled. What a loser...

"Tell me what I have to do then." Darklick's tone had grown shy and he was sweating.

Starlight took a step back.

"Just stay right where you are!" she exclaimed and briefly saw confusion on the colt's face.

Her horn started to glow pink and she elevated three or four feet in the air.

Her eyes became unfocused and she was muttering things.

Darklick's apprehension grew as a strong gust of wind tangled his mane.

He felt something tingle next to the area where his cutie mark was.

"Hey Starlight?" he shouted to cover the wind, "What are you doing?!"

The pink filly didn't answer and continued her incantations.

The tingle on Darklick's flank was becoming more intense and was approaching pain level.

"Starlight!" he yelled, panicked as he felt another gust of wind blow past him and pushed him a little closer to the edge.

The pain was now there and Darklick screamed. He was feeling as if something was ripped away from his body and soul.

He felt sucked into the air and fell down to the grass.

It had all happened in a few seconds.

Starlight's horn stopped being enveloped in her pink aura and she rubbed her eyes as she saw a glowing cutie mark approach her.

That's new...

The pink filly frowned as it stopped in front of her and continued slowly to spin in circles.

It was some dark smoke and had a red dot in the middle.

Is this...

Starlight looked pass it and saw Darklick who was laying there unmoving.

Is this Darklick's cutie mark?! So... cool! I wonder why it didn't do that with my Celestia doll... Maybe it doesn't have effect on non living ponies?Ohhhh! I have to record this in my memory orb!

Starlight then looked back at Darklick's body.

She walked right up to it and gave him her biggest smile.

"Thanks soooo much for being my test subject! It was-"

Starlight frowned again as he didn't move.

Then something inside her froze.

She put her hoof on his neck and checked?

No pulse.

Starlight sighted and shook her head.

I was going to kill him anyways but... ah, never mind!

She took a look at his flank.

There, a gray equality cutie mark had appeared.

Her heart filled up with joy.

"I can't believe it!" she chirped out loud. "I finally did it! Yes! I mean sure the test subject was killed but still! This was what I was hoping for... That every pony lives equal and happy!"

The pink filly took her memory orb out of her saddle bag and smiled brightly.

"Entry number 47" she said, "I have completed an equalization on my test subject and it worked.

The host died but I've got his cutie mark. Now, I just have to learn how to not kill them and show my project to every pony!"

Starlight smiled to herself again and put it back in her saddle bag... before staring mouth-opened at her flank.

She quickly took the memory orb back out and almost cried :

"Entry number 48... I... I have my cutie mark!"

Her joy was so big that she couldn't stop chuckling to herself for a couple of minutes.

Right... And now to get my test subject out of the way!

She pushed the body forward a bit and watched as it fell down until the bottom of the cliff.

A gasp was heard.

Starlight turned around as quickly as she could before stopping in surprise.

"S... Sister?"

Her sister was shaking. One of her hooves were pressed against her mouth and her eyes were opened wide in shock.

Tears were freely flowing from them.

"What..." she murmured, "What have you done?"

10. Killing

"What... What have you done?"

Moonlight's gasp troubled Starlight.

"I... It's and experience..." she murmured, feeling ashamed for some reason. Why should she feel like that? It's not right for some pony like her to feel embarrassed and ashamed.

"You... killed him!" screamed Moonlight, backing away.

"W... Wait! Moonlight! Its for a good cause! Please listen to me!" screamed Starlight back.

"No... NO! I... I have to go warn mom and dad... You..." her sister looked up at her and Starlight saw fear. "You're dangerous!"

Her scream echoed through Starlight's head, ringing in her ears.

Dangerous... Was that really what she was?

But... It was science! Ponies would be happy about what she had done... Right?

Starlight started to doubt herself.

No... This is right! I can't let her opinion bother me! She never understood me anyways... It's... It's for Leafgray!

"I'm sorry sister..." mumbled Starlight. "But I can't let you tell the truth to anypony... You... You'll just have to..." Starlight gulped as she looked directly in the eyes of a member of her own family, "You'll just have to disappear."

Moonlight's eyes were only showing horror now.

"You can't...You wouldn't... I'm your sister! We love each other!"

"Yes but..." Starlight's face was now frightening as a small smile appeared on her lips, "... you just know too much."

Moonlight turned and ran.

Starlight didn't bother going after her, she knew a teleportation spell after all.

She appeared in front of her terrified sister and created a force field around her.

"H... How??" Moonlight's voice was heard beyond the pink wall.

She fired at it but nothing happened. "How are you stronger than me?!"

Starlight didn't answer and concentrated.

She started to hover a few feet in the air and some wind blew her mane in every direction...

Moonlight's eyes got watery again.

"No..." she murmured, feeling her cutie mark become tingly. "No... I'm your sister..."

The last thing she ever saw was her cutie mark being ripped from her flank.

Starlight pushed one last time at the limp body of her sister and it fell over the edge of the cliff just as the sun was rising.

Starlight felt weak and powerless so she quickly walked back home before her parents would wake up.

She snuggled into bed and fell into a deep sleep.

That night, she had nightmares.

Darklick was crying and her sister was looking at her with disappointment.

They looked so... sad!

But the worst part of her nightmare, was when she was stuck in a cave.

The walls were closing over her and she was suffocating in the darkness, trying to find a way out.

But when she finally did, six hooded figures were waiting at the entrance, pushing her back into the depths of her prison...

Starlight awoke with a jump.

Why am I having nightmares? What I did was good... All... good...

She closed her eyes.