In Equestria, a small town called Ponyville, the summer sun celebration is in full swing and everypony is having their raucous parties. Starshine and her two best friends, Lightning Flicker and Candy Star are inside her home celebrating. Laughter and fun are being had as they tell each other jokes and stories of their past. But talking about Starshine's own past seems to make her unhappy, and she walks away to another chair to read a book to take her mind off it. Both feel they should try and help, but Candy has nothing to offer, a first for herself.
"Hey Candy, listen. We need to cheer Star up, and I have the perfect plan," said Lightning, trying to be as quiet as possible while whispering into Candy's ear.
"What is it?" asked Candy Star.
Lightning makes sure they're not being heard and continues her explanation, "We're going to make her laugh, but we have to bring her down." Lightning grins at the thought of Starshine at her mercy.
Hearing the plan, Candy shouts aloud, "What?" this catches Starshine's attention, to which Lightning quickly put a hoof over Candy's mouth.
"Okay, what's going on, Lightning? Are you two up to something?" asks Starshine with a hint of suspicion on her face. Knowing Lightning, her prankster tendencies are always unpredictable.
Lightning smiles and laughs nervously, while still holding a hoof over her friend's mouth, muffling her words. "I wouldn't dream of it, Star." Starshine seems to believe her but keeps an ear open in case something happens, turning back to her books. Lightning quietly and stealthfully gets up from the table.
With her mouth no longer muffled, Candy Star tries to protest against the plan, "Lightning...No...we can't." despite Candy's protests, Lightning keeps the plan alive.
One thing Lightning knows about Starshine is the fact that she is sensitive in certain areas, meaning she very ticklish. Candy follows cautiously behind, making sure to keep quiet as she was told. "Now's not the time to be nice, Candy, we have to help her. You said that friends help each other no matter what, Remember?" Candy nods and they move silently towards Starshine. Oblivious to the incoming pair, Starshine keeps on reading, ears twitching to each little noise outside.
Stopping just behind her chair, Lightning quietly whispers to Candy, "Three...two...one...ready? Go!" springing into action, they both pounce on Starshine, pinning her to the floor.
Surprised, Starshine finds herself face to face with Lightning, "Hey! Let go of me!" exclaims Starshine as she struggles to get free but it's no good.
With a smile on her face, Lightning looks at Candy and says, "Candy, let's give her the feather treatment, shall we?" Starshine's eyes widen at these words and she almost gets away but is caught again by Lightning. The physical build of Lightning is too much as she's held and pinned again. "Oh no, Star, you're gonna get away this time," said Lightning as she extends a wing outward and pulls a feather, but not without a quick wince of a pain in her expression.
With an annoyed tone, Starshine tries to warn Lightning, "Lightning! I'm warning you! I'll--" Starshine is interrupted as Lightning starts tickling her side with the feather.
Lightning knows how powerless Starshine is against her own strength and says in a sassy tone, "You can't do anything in your current situation, Star. I know you better than anypony in Equestria!" exclaims Lightning as she continues to assault Starshine with her feather. Starshine's face is starting to turn beet red from laughing so hard that she might pop. Candy can't help but giggle at Starshine's predicament, and watches as it continues on.
Starshine tries to bribe Candy into helping her, "Candy, I swear I'll buy from you a month worth of cupcakes if you help-" again she erupts into full blown laughter.
Lightning goes higher and onto her neck, keeping Starshine from finishing her sentence, "Oh no, you don't!" I know your tricks, Star. It won't work." helpless to stop Lightning, Candy can't help but feel sorry for her friend. Lightning stops for a moment, letting Starshine catch her breath. "Well? Are you gonna say it? Or should I tell Candy what you said about her." threatened Lightning as Starshine's chest rises and falls rapidly with each breath she takes.
Despite Lightning's threat, she replies, "Never!" to which Lightning's expression turns to disappointment.
Seeing as Starshine will not confess, Lightning spills the beans, "Candy? Starshine here thinks you're not funny, what do you say to that?" asks Lightning, knowing how Candy feels about her own humor.
Candy is both shocked and appalled at the statement, "She what?" exclaims Candy in sadness, such words from Starshine are horrible and hurtful.
Lightning has done it now, Candy is upset and joins in the fun. "Starshine, how could you?" said Candy as she takes the feather from Lightning and takes her turn at Starshine's expense. Starshine again starts laughing aloud as Candy goes to work on her sides making her friend cry as she laughed harder. "I'll show you what's funny!" exclaims Candy as she mercilessly tickles her friend, tears coming from her eyes.
Lightning keeps Starshine held firmly against the floor as Candy keeps going, and then makes Candy stop. "Alright, Starshine, confess! Or else..." the serious expression on Lightning's face makes Starshine wonder if she's bluffing. The thought of another round fills her mind with worry. Starshine's breathing starts to slow down, sweat covering her entire body. "Well? which is it?" asks Lightning once more.
Starshine looks up at both of them, Candy still has tears in her eyes, but seems to have calmed down a little to small sniffles. Taking in deep breaths, Starshine hopes to try and explain. Thinking quietly to herself, she answers sincerely, "Candy, It's true. I did say that, but only as a joke so Lightning would keep quiet." Knowing that Starshine never lies, Candy is furious.
Candy turns to Lightning, unsure what to think. "You...lied to me? You didn't say anything about that!" said Candy as she suddenly drops the feather, it slowly floats down and touches the floor.
Lightning knows she's in trouble, and knowing how over-sensitive Candy is, it'd be a miracle if the tables didn't turn it around on her. "Lightning, what you did is...unforgivable. But, I'll give you a chance to explain yourself...now!" shouted Candy as he stomps her front hoof. To add to the pressure already on her friend, Candy brings her face close to Lightning's own, eyes piercing into her.
Speechless, Lightning can't form a single syllable as Candy waits for an answer. Closing her eyes, Lightning confesses, "Yeah...I lied But...." the confession finally comes out, now the question is whether or not to forgive Lightning's lies.
Candy is more upset than before as she interjects, "No! It's not okay, Lightning! You think you can just lie to me and get away with it? Huh?" asks Candy with a disappointed expression. Candy keeps up the pressure, Lightning seemingly afraid of what her friend might do.
Starshine takes advantage of the confusion and teleports out from under Lightning, resulting in her falling to the floor. Now free, she tries calming Candy down, "Candy, please stop. Just let it go." this in-fighting must stop, cause she fears to lose her best friends. Starshine has to separate them with a barrier spell.
Not happy with being forced away from Lightning, Candy shouts in annoyance, "Hey! I'm not done!" exclaimed Candy as she sulks in protest.
Lightning can breathe easy now since they're separated. But feels she needs to explain everything, "Candy, I'm sorry I lied to you. But I just wanted to help my friends... I never meant to hurt you or Star...ever. I hope you can forgive me." Lightning walks away and sits down over by the window looking out.
Starshine releases Candy, seeing as she has calmed down enough to be reasoned with. Unsure if she wants to forgive and forget, Candy has one thing to say, "That wasn't very nice, Lightning. I understand why you did it...and... I forgive you." said Candy as she hugged her friend tightly, in return getting Lightning to do the same.
being forgiven, Lightning smiles and is grateful for it, "Thanks, Candy, I'm glad were still friends," Said Lightning as she sat there with her good friend.
After a few moments of waiting, Starshine quietly creeps up from behind Lightning and casts a spell to hold her down.
Surprised, Lightning looks up at Starshine and exclaims, "Hey! What's the big idea, Star?"
A smile spread across Starshine's face as she held up the same feather that had been used on her, "I think it's time for a little payback, Lightning," said Starshine, lowering the feather with magic.
Fearful of being on the recieving end, Lightning protests, "Oh please, the name of Celestia, no!" exclaims Lightning as the assault begins and she starts laughing. The tables have been turned and it was her turn to have fun at Lightning's expense.
After that night, Starshine felt better about her past, as it had brought her the best friends she could ever ask for. Also gave Candy a good life lesson: When you lie to your friends, it can hurt them a lot more than you think. But learning to forgive your friends, that is the best reward.
