Daughters of Glimmer

by Summer Dancer

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Motherhood
Chapter 2 - Lesson Number One
Chapter 3 - Old Habits Die Hard
Chapter 4 - Fade Away
Chapter 5 - Like Glimmers in the Sky Part 1
Chapter 6 - Like Glimmers In the Sky Part 2
Chapter 7 - Goodnight
Chapter 8 - Starlight's Vendetta
Chapter 9 - Road Most Traveled
Chapter 11 - Only In Memory
Chapter 12 - The Trial
Chapter 13 - Dethroned
Chapter 14 - Same as it Never Was
Chapter 15 - Confrontation
Chapter 16 - There's Your Answer
Chapter 17 - From the Dead
Chapter 18 - Shattered Trust
Chapter 19 - Forever Filly
Chapter 20 - Outsiders
Chapter 21 - Itsy Bitsy
Chapter 22 - Mommy and Daddy Issues
Prologue
Chapter 10 - Straight For the Castle

Chapter 1 - Motherhood

“Your name is Moonlight Glimmer.”

“Twailyt!”

“No,” Starlight said firmly. “That’s not your name anymore. You are Moonlight Glimmer.”

“Twailyt!”

“Moonlight.”

“Twailyt!”

Starlight sighed in frustration at the little foal in her hooves. They had been at this for over an hour now—with all of her children. She had tried calling Rarity Sapphire, Applejack Sunshine, Rainbow Dash Prism, Fluttershy Buttercup, and Pinkie Pie Pearl, but none of the pint sized fillies accepted their new names, and kept insisting of their own.

“Let’s try again, Moonlight.”

“Twai!” Pinkie Pie shouted gleefully from the floor. Starlight glared at her as she laughed and clopped her hooves together. Twilight glanced down at Pinkie and then turned back to Starlight with a victorious smirk, pleased that someone agreed with her.

“Quiet, Pearl!” Starlight scolded. “Moonlight, mommy’s giving you a new name and a new life. Can you at least try to accept it? For me?”

Twilight gave her a curious look and pointed a hoof at her. “Mommy.”

Well, at least she gets that part right.

“Yes. And mommy wants the best for you, Moonlight dear.” Twilight sill looked confused, causing Starlight to groan. “Never mind. I’ll just coach you after lunch.” The mare set the foal down on the floor and crossed over to her newly made kitchen.

During her exile, she had spent more than enough time in the caves. Every tunnel there was, she had explored. Before she acted upon her revenge, she decided to make a home here in the caves. After working a series of odd jobs for three months, she had enough to buy food, drinks, furniture, and cooking supplies. This part of the mountain had so much space, Starlight was able to make an entire house here—fit for a mare and six fillies.

Starlight went over to her little kitchen area and lifted the lid off her pot of oatmeal. Being the brilliant unicorn she is, Starlight had figured out a way to power electricity through the mountains.

But then, is there anything I can’t do? she thought smugly, stirring the oatmeal with a wooden spoon.

Twilight sat at the entryway, her ears flat against her head. She still felt guilty about disappointing her mommy like that. She didn’t mean to.

“Uh!...Uh!”

She turned her head and saw Rainbow Dash struggling to her hooves and stumbling across the large wool carpet before falling down on her flank. Attempting to walk was the main activity for them for some time now. Seeing how Twilight had mastered it just a few days ago, the others wanted to join in on the fun.

Applejack smirked at her sister and stood up slowly, carefully walking almost three feet across the carpet.

The little pegasus scrunched her nose at the smug earth pony and raised her back, buzzing her tiny wings. She stuck out her tongue as the hovered across the room. “No fair!” Applejack shouted, pointing at Rainbow. “Cheated!”

“Nuh-uh!” Rainbow said, landing back on the ground.

Applejack toddled over to her and poked her in the chest. “Uh huh. No wing.”

Fluttershy quietly watched the scene from her little corner. She sat with her legs tucked underneath her, her wings tightly folded against her sides. She wished she had the courage to walk too. She tried it once, but then she fell down and hurt her bottom. She had given up on the idea all together because of that painful fall. And flying? No, she just wasn't made for this sort of thing. Maybe it was for the best.

“Girls, time for lunch!” Starlight called, levitating six bowls of oatmeal. She led the foals over to the large dining table, complete with six high chairs on one regular chair for herself. After she sat each bowl down, she helped the little fillies into their chairs.

When she tried to help Applejack, she shook her head vigorously. “Me!” she insisted, and hoisted herself up. Starlight had to chuckle.

She’s certainly headstrong, even as a tiny foal…

With everyone properly seated, the foals started to dig in…all except Rainbow Dash. Starlight sighed, knowing what was coming. Not again… Nevertheless, she walked over to the little pegasus with a kind smile. “Eat, Prism. You want to grow up to be a nice and tall mare when you grow up, don’t you?”

Rainbow Dash shook her head.

Starlight used her magic to scoop up some oatmeal with a small spoon and held it to Rainbow’s mouth. “Come on, Prism. Open up~!”

Rainbow turned her nose up. “No!”

Starlight raised an unamused eyebrow. ‘No’ seemed to be her favorite word lately. “Prism--"

“Wainbow!”

Not this again.

“Prism,” Starlight repeated. “Eat your oatmeal.”

She prodded the spoon against the foal’s mouth, but she pushed it away with both hooves. “No, no, no!”

“Noooo!” Pinkie giggled.

“No,” Rarity said, trying out the word.

“Pearl, Sapphire, stop that!”

“Nope!” Applejack declared.

Fluttershy tilted her head to the side. “No?” she asked, looking to Twilight.

The unicorn nodded. “No.”

Starlight threw her a look of warning. “Quiet, all of you! Moonlight, you know better!”

Pinkie Pie pointed at the sulking filly. “Twai!” Then she pointed at Applejack. “Ay jay!”

“Wawity!” Rarity screeched.

“Shy,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Those are not the names I’ve given you!” Starlight growled, nearly at the end of her rope. How did they still know their names?
She had wiped their memories completely, she made sure of that! She could think of no other explanation other than what she had read about them. Surprise, surprise, they turned out to be the original bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

Honesty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, Loyalty, and Magic.

A bunch of hogwash if you ask me.

Starlight was sure that this process would work, but it almost seemed that they were….resisting somehow, without even fully knowing it. She would have to read up on the matter further. She fixed the little girls with a stern glare. “All of you be quiet and eat your oatmeal, or there will be no desert!”

A blanket of silence fell over the table as the foals turned to their mother in shock. Starlight smirked inwardly. Gotcha.

Rainbow Dash, however, was quick to recover and knocked over her bowl of oatmeal in a tantrum, getting the sticky substance all over Starlight’s coat. “Uuugh…”

Rainbow screamed at the top of her lungs and pounded her hooves against her little white tray. Rarity looked at her and tears started appearing in her own eyes. "WAAAAAHHHH!"

“Oh, come on…”

It wasn’t long before the chain reaction started; others joined in on the crying, their high pitched screams piercing Starlight’s ears. She rubbed her temple in exhaustion and moaned. “Please…stop crying…Rainbow Dash….”

Instantly, Rainbow stopped screaming and sniffled. Starlight blinked. “Uh...oh for…” She turned to the other crying foals and sighed. “Fine. Have it your way. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. Stop crying.”

It both relieved and disappointed Starlight when the foals fell silent. Her nose suddenly wrinkled when she smelled something foul in the air. “What in Equestria is that?” The foals looked at Pinkie Pie, who smiled at Starlight innocently.

“Ugh! Gross!”

After three more diaper changes, Glimmer had settled in her rocking chair with a book while the foals played together on the carpet beneath her. It had been eight weeks since Starlight whisked the elements away.

The Princesses have been frantically searching the country for some time now—she knew this because of the newspapers she picks up on her weekly trip to the market a few hundred miles from the mountain—which would be a problem, if you didn’t fully grasp the benefits of telelportation.

She knew the caves would be the only safe place to raise her children…away from the watchful eye of the royal guard. She lifted her gaze from the page and smiled as Pinkie chewed on Applejack's ear. Starlight had had a very vague idea on who were the youngest and the oldest of the six, so she sat back and let them decide for themselves; how they reacted towards each other might give her some leeway.

Twilight of course, showed great intellect and served as a sort of guide for the rest. Rainbow Dash was also protective, but teasing. Her maturity was at an all time low, according to Starlight. But she was showing early signs of flight already.

Rarity almost had the same level of attitude as Rainbow Dash, but more toned down in a way. It was more sass than full on rebellion. Pinkie Pie is the most playful one, always giggling and smiling, and all the girls seemed to protect her more, comfort her more. Applejack threw the least tantrums and cried very little. She was a happy carefree baby, but she was also very independent.

And then there’s Fluttershy. As Starlight predicted, she was the quietest, but spent a lot of time playing with the others, and giggled like any child would when she had fun. Starlight tapped her chin. She decided to make Twilight the oldest, since she would be her special pupil. Applejack would be next, followed by Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and then Pinkie. She smiled to herself and focused back on her book.

Twilight had toddled over in curiosity and stood on the tips of her hooves to see what her mommy was reading. Starlight noticed this and scooped her up with one hoof and placed her on her lap. Twilight stared at the left page of the book and looked up. This area of the caves had a narrow opening in the high ceiling, revealing the starry night sky above. Twilight looked at the book and then pointed at the sky. “Moon!”

The corners of Starlight’s mouth lifted. She’s intelligent alright. That would had to be fixed soon. “Yes…that’s the moon…despite my efforts to name you after it. But…I suppose it’s the one thing I’ll let you keep….Twilight Moonlight Glimmer.”

The baby cooed and nuzzled Starlight’s chin. The mare’s smile faltered for a few seconds. She thought of the distraught parents and family members that the girls were forced to leave behind.

It’s for the best, Starlight told herself. It’s for a good cause. Let them mourn. When eveypony thinks they’re dead, it'll be easier to do what I'm meant to do...and now that I have six new successors? Starlight closed her eyes and smiled. My time is now.

Starlight had finally managed to tuck in each and every one of her daughters in their cribs. Being a mother was much harder than she anticipated. She lost countless hours of sleep trying to get just one foal to sleep; and if she accomplished that, another foal would start crying. Not to mention all the accidents she had to put up with. It was enough to want to pull her hair out! The screaming, the feeding, the burping, the nursing. At one point, Starlight began to think it was all a lost cause.

But then, by looking at their sleeping faces, she knew that it would be worth it someday.

She peered down at Rainbow Dash, all snug in her pale grey blanket. Sleep peacefully, demon child, she thought. It might be a bit rash to think about, but she knew she had to keep an eye on that one. If she dared to rebel even more than she does now…that could be dangerous. These weren’t ordinary ponies after all. But then I’ll be able to give her more proper punishments when she grows older, Starlight thought with a smirk.

“Sweet dreams, girls,” Starlight whispered, walking in between the two rows of cribs, three on each side.

“Life is so grand in Our Town…”

Author's Note

Being a mom to six is great stuff, isn't it? "Prism" for Rainbow's temporary name, comes from Those Kids In The Corner's OC, I have her to thank for that!

As for the age of the mane six, my head cannon is that Fluttershy is the oldest, then Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.

But this is all according to what Starlight would think, on terms of maturity. Chapter 2 will come fairly soon, since I'm already writing it :derpytongue2: Also, this chapter reminds me of this

Chapter 2 - Lesson Number One

Things have not been the same without you, dear Twilight. I can only hope that you and your friends are safe out there, somewhere. Please come back to us, Twilight. We love you.

Four year old Twilight Glimmer opened her eyes and moaned in slight annoyance. She turned over to her side to look at the pony that just woke her up.

“Morning, Twilight!” Pinkie chirped.

“Good morning, Pinkie,” Twilight yawned as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“I thought I would wake you up earlier today so that you’d have time to get ready! You know how mommy likes to see us with a big smile!” She demonstrated, giving Twilight a wide toothy grin.

Twilight smiled back and gazed outside the window. When they were two, Fluttershy almost fell out and killed herself, so mommy had installed a toddler-proof glass that covered the hole. Every day, they had the same view of the snowy mountains...and today, the morning light looked so pretty...morning….

Her eyes snapped wide open as she gasped, realizing what day it was today. “Oh! Oh!” She sprung out of bed and hastily smoothed out her bed with her hooves. Today was the day that mommy started ‘school.’ And Twilight loved to learn new things.

On their side of the room, she and Pinkie were the only one’s awake. On the other side, Rarity and Fluttershy were still in bed snoring, with the exception of Applejack’s empty bed. “Pinkie, can you…”

The little filly nodded eagerly and inhaled deeply. “WAKE UP!”

Rarity sat up with a startled yelp while Fluttershy fell out of her bed in a goat faint. Rainbow Dash mumbled something and pulled the covers over her head. Twilight ran past her bed and Pinkie’s and shook the stubborn lump under the blanket. “Rainbow, wake up!”

“Five more minutes,” the lump replied groggily. Twilight climbed on the bed and began to jump up and down.

“Wake up! Wake up wake up wake up, it’s the first day of school! First day of school!”

“I hate school!”

Twilight rolled her eyes and removed the blanket from her sister’s face with her magic. “How do you know if you hate school? It hasn’t even started yet!”

Rainbow opened one eye and threw her an indignant look. “I just know!”

Twilight jumped off the bed, kicking the blanket over with her back hooves as she did so. “Come on, you guys!”

Rarity moaned and moseyed over to the indoor bathroom. She pushed against the door, but it didn’t budge. “Who’s in there, I need to brush my mane!”

“Just a minute!” Applejack replied from the other side of the door.

“Well, hurry up in there! I need to get ready!”

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down in one place. “I’m ready! I’m ready!”

Fluttershy lowered her head and poked the floor with her hoof. “I’m not,” she mumbled, her pink forelock falling over her face. “I’m so nervous…”

“Don’t be nervous!” Pinkie encouraged, giving Fluttershy a hug. “I know you’ll do great! Besides, we’re only four! How hard can it be?”

As Applejack opened the bathroom door, Fluttershy continued on her melancholy monologue. “But what if I get a question wrong? What if I’m not smart enough? What if class lasts all day?”

“Are you kidding? That would be amazing!” Twilight gushed before yanking Rarity’s tail back. “Just a minute, Rarity! We’ve got seven minutes until mommy calls us down! Share the bathroom!”

“But it’ll be cwowded,” Rarity complained, her lisp slipping in. It often did whenever she was overly excited or upset.

Rainbow Dash flew in out of nowhere and brushed past the two unicorns. “Hey!” they both shouted as she zipped inside the bathroom.

“You snooze, you lose!” Rainbow laughed. Twilight used her magic to keep Rainbow from slamming the door, and pushed her way in, followed by Rarity.

“Hey, I have to go!”

“Wait a minute, Rainbow,” Rarity said, picking up a brush and running it through her purple mane.

“Mmm-hmm,” Twilight agreed, brushing her teeth.

After a few more minutes of getting ready, Starlight’s cheerful voice reached their ears. “Time for school, ladies, rise and shine! Single file now!”

The six fillies rushed to the doorway; Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash tried to get out all at once, but ended up being squished together at the entry way. “Can I go first? I want to be first!” Rarity said.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Why should you be first?”

“Because I’m a lady, that’s why! And I never go first!”

Applejack snorted. “You’re not a lady!”

“Yeah!” Rainbow grinned, going back and grabbing Rarity’s tail between her teeth.

Rarity yelped as she felt herself being yanked back. “Leave my tail alone!” she wailed.

“Me first, me first!” Pinkie sang.

“Come on, we don’t have time for this!” Twilight said impatiently. “I don’t care who goes first! Somepony go already!”

Starlight surveyed the living room/ Equality school with a critical eye. She had made sure that there were six grey pillows for her daughters to sit on, since they would be sitting for awhile.

She had set up a chart a few feet away, and a stick that served as a pointer. It would be exactly two hours of presentation. Inside, she was bubbling with excitement. Today was the day that her daughters would finally learn the benefits of true friendship. They would become true Equalitists. For Starlight, it felt like the dawn of a better Equestria.

It wasn’t long before she heard the patter of hooves, tiny voices overlapping with excitement and anticipation. She was surprised to see Fluttershy at the front of the line when they entered the living room but smiled upon the proud look on the pegasus’ face. “Come over here girls, and let’s get started!”

Everyone quickly claimed their pillows and sat in a circle in front of Starlight. “When’s breakfast, mommy?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Now, Rainbow, in school, when you have a question, you raise your hoof. Try again, please.”

The filly blinked. “Oh.” She raised her hoof. “When’s breakfast?”

“Rainbow, you have to wait until I choose to call on you. Then you can ask the question.”

With a confused expression, Rainbow raised her hoof once more.

“Yes, Rainbow Dash?”

“When do we have breakfast?”

“As soon as the lesson is over.”

“Oh. How long’s the lesson?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.”

The cyan filly pouted and put her hoof down. “I knew I wouldn’t like school,” she muttered. “Too many rules already.”

Pinkie looked up with an excited grin. “What are we gonna do today, mommy?” Her smile quickly faltered at her own outburst. “Oh. I’m sorry. I forgot to raise my hoof.”

Starlight nodded serenely. “It’s alright, Pinkie. In fact, I’m glad you asked that. Today, girls, we’re going to be learning about Cutie Marks.”

She flipped to the start of the chart, revealing a picture of a regular cutie mark—three music notes.

The girls regarded it with awe.

“Cutie marks," Starlight began, pointing at the mark with the stick, "Are symbols that appear on your flank that reflect your special talent, and they only appear when you make a self discovery. Then, and only then, will you officially ‘earn’ it.”

After raising her hoof, Twilight asked, “Like yours?”

The rest of the fillies gazed at the mark on their mother’s flank.

An equal sign.

Starlight looked down at the mark and smiled. “This is a different kind of cutie mark, Twilight,” she replied. “You see, while cutie marks might seem like a good thing, they are terrible to have.”

Confused murmurs rippled throughout the circle. “But…” Fluttershy cautioned, “Wouldn’t having a special talent of your own be a…good thing?”

“Yeah,” Rarity said slowly. “That one looks pretty! I wonder what mine would be like…”

Starlight shook her head. “And that’s what society wants you to think.”

Applejack scratched the back of her head. “What’s society?” Living under Starlight, her voice no longer consisted of her old southern twang.

Before Starlight could open her mouth, Twilight was quick to answer. “A Society is like a mass of ponies living together in an ordered community.”

Everyone stared at her.

“Whoa,” Rainbow finally said.

Twilight blinked. “What?”

Applejack smiled. “I knew you were smart, Twilight, but I didn’t know you were that smart! How’d you know that?”

“I..don’t know,” Twilight replied, blushing modestly. “It just came to me, I guess.”

Starlight frowned as Twilight’s sisters continued to give her praise. “Settle down, ladies. Let’s get back to the lesson, shall we?”

“You’re like a dissionary!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“That’s ‘dictionary’ Pinkie,” Twilight laughed.

“See?”

“What else do you know, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked eagerly.

Starlight smacked the stick against the chart with a resounding thwack!

The toddlers all gasped and fell silent. “Twilight,” Starlight seethed through clenched teeth. “Isn’t smart.”

The small fillies looked at each other in bewilderment, but didn’t dare speak. “That is, she isn’t any smarter than any of you.” Knowing she had their full attention, Starlight continued. “The pony that had this cutie mark became a singer. She followed her dream and became a star."

The fillies smiled.

"But then she became greedy and vain, putting ponies beneath her--because she believed that nopony could sing as beautiful as as she could."

The smiles vanished instantly.

"Cutie marks are the bane of all existence. They signify individuality. Cutie marks are what separates us from others. You see, children, when a pony gets his or her cutie mark, they become arrogant. They get the notion in their heads that they are superior in what they do. They think that their special talent makes them better then everypony else.”

The room remained silent as the girls mulled over what they were just told in their minds. “Really?” Fluttershy whispered, looking heartbroken. “That sounds… awful!”

“Exactly, Fluttershy. And what ponies don’t realize, is that there is a better way to experience friendship and unity.”

Starlight flipped the chart to a new page. This time, it was a picture of an equal sign, exactly like the symbol on her flank. “Equality. This symbol is the beacon of hope to pony kind. Equality brings peace and happiness. You never have to worry about the heartache that comes with cutie marks. With Equality, you’re never the slowest, the least fashionable, or the pony with the lowest IQ. You have the same status and the same amount of rights as everypony else. And you’re never last place.”

Rainbow smiled. “I like the sound of that!”

“I knew you would, Rainbow Dash.”

Rarity thought for a moment and then raised her hoof.

“Yes, Rarity?”

“All ponies know about e…equ-a-i-ty …don’t they?”

Starlight’s expression turned sad. “I’m afraid not, my starlings. Some do, but… they refuse to believe that being one with other ponies is beneath them. They just haven’t…seen the light yet.”

Pinkie’s eyebrows furrowed. “So…what’s our special talent, then?”

Starlight straightened up with a smile. “Equality is our special talent, Pinkie. We each get to have the same talent as everypony else!”

“…But, we can still get cutie marks.” Applejack half asked, half stated, a tone which you would rarely hear from a four year old. Starlight was taken aback by this. Applejack’s sisters regarded her with surprised expressions.

After a minute of thinking, Starlight replied, “You are able get them, yes. But you should know, Applejack, that that sort of thing is forbidden in this house.”

Fear and apprehension etched each of their features. “W-W-Would you be a-angry with us i-i-if we did get o-our cutie marks?” Fluttershy stuttered, clutching her tail.

A deafening silence followed as Fluttershy’s words hung in the hair. Starlight’s hardened gaze pierced their souls before she finally spoke. “No. I wouldn’t be angry with you,” she said calmly. “Though, I’d be very disappointed.”

The word ‘Disappointed’ burned through them like a piece of paper upon an open flame. “You’re all my daughters, and I want nothing but the best for you all. I’m telling you this because I love you; all of you. And all of you have my undivided love and attention. Trust in me, and you’ll experience more love and happiness than you can ever imagine. Do you understand?”

The girls slowly nodded their heads, with the occasional “Yes, mommy”.

Starlight’s cheerful demeanor returned. “So! That was the first hour. Why don’t we take a break and have some breakfast?”

Everyone brightened at the mention of food.

“But before we do that…” Starlight knelt down in front of Rarity and ran a hoof through her shiny mane. “That’s an interesting style choice, Rarity.”

The filly’s face lit up. “Do you like it, mommy? I brushed it myself!” She fluffed up the slightly curled ends with her hooves. “I think it looks…darling!”

Starlight’s smile wavered for just a second. “Yes, but I think you’ll like what mommy has in mind even better.”

Fluttershy stared at her reflection in the bedroom mirror, trying to get used to her new look. Her powder pink mane was now tied into a neat bun, with only a few strands of hair escaping at her forehead.

Rarity appeared next to her with the exact same style as her sister’s. She glared at Fluttershy through the mirror. “This is not bettew,” she mumbled, her lisp returning.

The pegasus offered a kind smile.

Today had been an eye-opener for all of them. What their true purpose was, how other ponies were probably like in the real world…and most importantly, the real truth about cutie marks.

“It is different,” Fluttershy admitted. “But I’m sure once we get used to it…”

“Speak for yourself,” Rainbow Dash muttered. Her rainbow colored mane was loose; one section, though, had been pulled back into a neat pin. It was also slick with gel to keep her wild locks under wraps. “I’ll never get used to this.”

“But Rainbow, you look just like Rarity’s dolls!” Applejack snickered. “Now, why would you want to ruin that?”

Rainbow’s magenta eyes flashed. “Oh yeah? Well, look who’s talking, pigtails!”

Applejack frowned and stuck out her tongue. She and Pinkie had their manes braided on both sides. “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.”

Twilight, who had the same style as Rainbow, frowned deeply. “Stop it! Ever since we came back here, you three have done nothing but complain! I’m tired of it!” She climbed up on her bed and let her head fall against the pillow.

“We can’t help it, Twilight!” Rarity said, looking back at the mirror. “I know mommy thinks this looks better, but…I liked the way my mane was before!”

“It’s change. That’s all it is,” Fluttershy said, curling up on her own bed.

Twilight threw her a grateful look from across the room. “And at least we can see your eyes now!”

Fluttershy ducked her head bashfully.

“Guys?”

Everyone stopped and looked over at Pinkie, who sat at the window. “Do…do you think that’s what ponies are like…out there?”

The fillies stared out the window at the icy mountains. “If mommy said so, then it’s true,” Applejack said.

Rarity shook her head. “That’s too bad. At least we have somepony that can teach us all about e…eqa…that thing.”

“Mommy knows better,” Twilight agreed.

Rainbow poked her hoof at the floor. “Mommy says a lot of things.”

Twilight shifted her gaze to her younger sister. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…we’ve never actually seen other ponies before. What if cutie marks…arent as bad as she thinks it is?”

The others gasped.

“How can you say that?” Fluttershy whispered, her eyes wide with horror.

“She’d never lie to us!” Applejack frowned.

“I didn’t say that! I just meant…I don’t know. I just don’t think we can all be the same at the same time. I mean, look at Twilight! She’s really smart, isn’t she? What’s wrong with that?”

Twilight sighed. “No I’m not. I don’t want to think I’m better than everypony.”

“And you’re not! You just…have a different mind that’s all! And we’re cool with that!”

“…Cool?”

“Uh huh!”

Pinkie raised her head. “So does that mean I can go back to being the funnest?”

“No,” Rarity said succinctly. “At least not when mommy’s around….” She yawned. “Now can we go to bed, please? It’s past our nap time.”

"But I'm not tired!"

"Too bad, so sad."

Starlight waited next to the doorway for a few more seconds until all her daughters were silent before trudging to her room. She had heard everything. Just my luck, she thought bitterly. They had taken in her lesson, but she knew that they weren’t fully committed. At least not yet. By the time she reached her room, she realized that she had been too hard on herself. She had read more about the elements' special power, and how they had a knack for resisting mind control. But she still had plenty of time to make it stick.

That was just their first lesson, after all. In a year or so, they’ll be breathing Equality. I just have to make them understand…

She reached under her mattress and pulled out last week’s newspaper.

Shining Armor Refusing To Give Up on Search For Lost Princess.

Starlight rolled her eyes. It’s time to let go, captain.

In the past four years, there have been many threats against Equestria. Ponies from the east have been suffering from attacks from a creature called Lavan. Canterlot almost fell to a giant called Arabus. And just last month, Ponyville had to fend against Grogar with the help of Discord, who seemed to be Ponyville’s new protector.

How does it feel, Princesses, to actually have to clean up your own messes?

Starlight smiled to herself as she collapsed onto her bed. Raising and teaching six children took a lot out of her. She stuck the newspaper back under the mattress and pulled up the covers. I have 20 minutes until play time. Then snacks, and…and then I’ll cook soup for dinner…She fell asleep, exhausted by her own thoughts.

In the girl’s bedroom, Twilight continued to stare at the ceiling, her sisters’ loud snoring filling the air. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make herself fall asleep. She knew what was keeping her up, yet she didn’t. She worried about getting her cutie mark. She would surely shame the family and ponykind if she did. What if I get kicked out? Where would I go? I don’t even have any bits! Would anypony hire a kid for a job? She moaned and turned over to her side. I hope I never get that stupid cutie mark…

She pulled her blanket over her head. If only I knew what my special talent is supposed to be, I can avoid doing it, and then I won’t get my cutie mark! But what if it just appears? What if I woke up one day with…

Twilight sat up gasping. I need air! I need air! She slid out of bed and went over to the door. She cracked it open, just a little. The fillies weren’t suppose to leave their room during nap time, that was the rule. And Twilight never broke any rules. However, she was this close to suffocating, so a step outside wouldn’t hurt. Seeing that the coast was clear, the unicorn quietly opened the door a little more and quickly slipped out. She took a few gulps of air and wiped the sweat from under her bangs, hoping against hope she wouldn’t get caught.

When she finally caught her breath, her ears perked up at another sound, a sound that managed to bounce off the cave walls. It was snoring, but not her sisters’. Mommy seemed to be sleeping too. Twilight sighed in relief, her shoulders relaxing. Now that she was sure she wouldn’t be found out, Twilight decided to get a drink of water before going back to bed. She tip toed down the long halls, feeling like a spy.

Twilight entered the living room and looked up at the opening of the cave, high up in the ceiling. They liked to call it ‘Skylight’. The mid afternoon sunlight shone down through the opening, casting streaks of golden light across the room.

Twilight smiled at the beautiful sight as she kept walking. She wished she could feel the full warmth that the sun had to offer—to feel its caress against her fur. It would be a nice change from the constant winter chill that swept in with the wind...

Lost in her thoughts, Twilight tripped on the corner of large carpet and landed on her face with a thump!

“Owww….” She slowly sat up and rubbed her nose, blinking the tears of pain from her eyes. She held still, in fear that she woke up mommy, but the snoring continued. She sniffled and looked down at the edge of the carpet she had kicked over due to her fall.

Twilight stood up with the intention of fixing it, when something on the floor caught her eye. A crack. Not just a random crack, but a neat one that went into a straight line.

Slowly, Twilight stepped over and carefully poked the area just past the crack. It moved. But only slightly. Her sensible side screamed at her to leave it alone and go back to bed, but her curious side reigned supreme as she used her magic to carefully roll up the rest of the carpet. It was a door. A door in the floor!

Twilight’s smile crossed between nervousness and excitement. Where did it come from? How long has it been here? Did mommy know about this? Should she tell the others about her discovery? Another thought crossed her mind. She had to know what was inside. She had to. If she didn’t, it would bother her for the rest of the day. With one last glance around, she lit up her horn again, and lifted the tiny door handle. Twilight winced when the door creaked as she opened it. The filly gasped at what she saw.

Books.

Tons of books that sat in five neat little rows. They all had shiny covers, and fancy wording that Twilight couldn’t quite understand. Her eyes fell on a lime green book with a large text. With a pounding heart, she picked it up with her hooves, and squinted at the cover.

“S…Star…S-Star Swirl….”

Her heart stopped when she heard quiet mumbling from down the hall. She was awake! Quick as a whip, Twilight closed the door and rolled the thick wool carpet over the secret door.

Hoof steps.

Twilight hastily smoothed out the carpet and ran off with the lime green book still in her grasp. Panting, she slipped back into her room and closed the door. She practically launched herself onto her bed and hastily stuck the book under her pillow.

“What’s wrong, Twilight?” Applejack asked. They had just got back from dinner, and everyone was preparing for bed. Twilight simply sat on her bed, staring into space, thinking about her latest find. “Twilight!”

The unicorn snapped out of her trance and looked at Applejack. “What was that?”

Rainbow Dash, who was in the middle of a pillow fight with Pinkie, threw Twilight a strange look. “What’s with you today?” she asked, her voice cracking.

Twilight leaned back, trying to seem casual. “What are you talking about?”

Pinkie delivered a hard whack to Rainbow’s face before speaking up. “You haven’t said a word all day! Not even during play time—ow! Heeey!” Rainbow had grabbed the pink earth pony and gave her a noogie. “Rainbow! Quit iiiiiiit!”

“No can do, little sis!” Rainbow laughed.

“STOP IT! Applejack!”

The blonde filly didn't take her eyes off her equality blocks. “Rainbow, stop it, or I’m telling.”

Said pegasus scowled at Applejack, but released Pinkie. “Tattle tail,” she muttered.

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

Rarity ignored the argument that was taking place and sat herself on Twilight’s bed. “Twi, are you really okay? Are you sick?”

Fluttershy also climbed herself onto Twilight’s bed and felt her forehead with the back of her hoof. Twilight groaned inwardly but allowed it, since she loved to play doctor. “You don’t feel very warm, but maybe mommy could—"

“No no, I’m fine. I just…” She looked around the room at her little sisters. They never kept anything from each other, but this was a really big secret. But since it’s so big..did she really want to keep it to herself? “I found something today,” she finally announced.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at her. “Do you guys absolutely promise to keep this a secret?”

The fillies burst out into excited chatter and neared closer. “We promise! What is it, Twilight, what is it?” Rainbow squeaked as she, Applejack and Pinkie joined the others on Twilight’s bed.

With a smile, Twilight reached under her pillow and took out the book.

“Oooo!”

“What is it?”

“It’s so bright…and colorful!”

“Where did you get it?”

Rainbow looked at it with a deadpanned expression. “So what? It’s just a book.”

Twilight looked appalled. “Just a book!? Look at it!” She opened it and flipped through the pages.

“Look, it has actual words in it!”

Rainbow scooted up and rapped her hoof on Twilight’s head. “But you’re forgetting one thing, smart one! None of us know how to read!”

The unicorn rubbed her chin. She had a point there. “So...so I’ll teach myself how to read! I’ll teach all of you!”

The five other fillies looked at each other wide-eyed. “I’m not sure mommy would like that,” Fluttershy said, her ears flat against her head. “She said she would teach us when we’re older.”

Twilight looked at the pages with a determination in her eyes. “I have to know what’s in this book. It’s like…It’s like we were meant to find it. I know we are. We just won’t tell her, at least for now.” She looked up hopefully. “So…Are you guys with me? Please?”

Rainbow’s wings buzzed as she did a mock salute. “I’m with you. Even though it’s just a book, it means a lot to you. I won’t tell a soul!”

Pinkie bounced up and down where she sat. “Me too! I mean, I won’t tell.”

Rarity and Fluttershy shared a look before nodding. “We won’t tell either,” Rarity said.

But Applejack looked doubtful. “So…we’ll be lying to her?”

Twilight winced a little. “We won’t be lying, really. We just… won’t mention it.”

Applejack glanced back at the doorway with uncertainty. “I still think it’s lying…I hate lying to her, guys!”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “I think it was a bad idea letting the snitch in on this, Twilight.”

Applejack whirled around. “I’m no snitch!”

Rainbow shrugged. “Prove it.”

Applejack looked around at the rest of her sisters, their eyes pleading. She bit her lip.

“Please, A.J.,” Twilight said softly. “I promise it’ll be worth it.”

Applejack closed her eyes and sighed. “…okay…”

“Aw, yeah!” Rainbow shouted with a grin. “All in!”

The six fillies piled their hooves on top of each other before throwing them up in the air.

“Whoo hoo!”

“Awesome!”

“Yay.”

Applejack felt sick.

Author's Note

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and supported this story! :twilightsmile: Some of you, I'm aware, really wanted alternate names for the mane six, but I kept the names for future reasons that I cannot reveal just yet. So for now, it's their middle names, if it's any consolation :twilightblush:

Next chapter, things go down, and not in a good way for the baby mane six.

Chapter 3 - Old Habits Die Hard

“She’s gettin’ worse.”

“I know.”

“Her eyes…they’re gettin’ weaker.”

“We ain’t sendin’ her away.”

“I didn’t say that. We just need to take care during the winter. We need all the will power we can get keep the farm runnin.’”

“…It ain’t fair, Big Mac. We already lost Applejack…we can’t lose Granny too.”

“I know.”

“I miss her, Mac. I wish she were here. I wish Granny could see her…one last time.”

“So do I, Apple Bloom….she’d be so proud of you…”

Applejack blinked and looked over at Rainbow Dash, who sliced a hoof across her neck and lolled her tongue out.

A smirk threatened to take over her whole face. “Now, let’s recite the Code of Equality, shall we?”

The girls nodded simultaneously before chanting, “To excel is to fail. Choose Equality as your special talent. Be your best by not being your best. You are no better than your sisters.”

Starlight nodded in approval, a smile gracing her features. “Excellent! That concludes today’s lesson, children. You may go and prepare for play time now.”

Applejack slid out of her desk and fell in line with the rest of her sisters and looked straight ahead with stoic expressions as they marched to their room.

As soon as Rarity closed the bedroom door behind them, the room exploded with its natural chaos. Pinkie gleefully jumped across all of the beds, Twilight retrieved her book from under her pillow, and Fluttershy and Rarity gathered as many dolls as they could for today’s play time.

Rainbow Dash came up from behind and pulled her by the tail with her mouth. Applejack squealed as she slid backwards across the floor. She counter-attacked tackling her sister to the floor and tickling her sides. Rainbow squeaked and squirmed, tears of laughter streaming down her cheeks.

Playtime was their favorite time of day. Ever since school started last year, Starlight had become more and more strict with them. More rules had been inflicted; how to sit, how to eat, how to act. Applejack didn’t mind so much. Whatever rule that mom had inflicted, she thought, was for a good reason. Rules were meant to protect, weren’t they?

The filly looked up from under her bangs at Twilight, who was flipping to a page she had saved from the day before. A knot tied in her stomach at the reminder of the secrets they kept.

“Hey doofus!”

Applejack looked up and realized that the room was now half empty, with the exception of her, Rainbow, and Twilight.

“Doofus,” Rainbow repeated, standing over her. “Wake up! You ready to play our game or what?”

Applejack let herself smile and quickly got to her hooves. “I was just thinking about how sorry I’d feel for you when you’ll have to eat my space dust for dinner!”

Rainbow Dash snorted. “As if! Twilight, you sleep walking too? Let’s go already!”

ELEMENTS OF HARMONY PRESUMED DEAD AFTER FIVE YEARS OF SEARCH

Starlight read the headline for the fifteenth time before the news could properly register in her mind. She knew that this would happen overtime, she thought about it every night since the girls were just babies. Her eyes scanned over the article.

The funerals will be held in Ponyville, the town that the Elements held dear to their hearts. Equestria and lands beyond expressed their sorrow and grief for our young heroes, holding vigils and ceremonies from all over. Families and friends are in deep mourning over the courageous young mares, and will be attending this special funeral with heavy hearts. Their mysterious disappearance five years ago still has ponies talking. Some assume they had gone on some sort of adventure, as they normally did back in the day, and were not able to return; others insist they were fillynapped, or threatened. Since everypony was confined to their homes because of the storm that fateful night, nopony can really know for sure what exactly happened.

“The last time we saw Dash, we were trying to push the storm clouds away from the buildings,” Thunderlane recalls. “After that…I wish I would’ve told her how great a leader for the team she was.”

The families living in Ponyville have declined to speak to any reporters, understandably so. Some special performances will be held—

Starlight stopped reading and released a huge amount of breath. “Finally!” she exclaimed.

“Finally what?”

“Gah!”

Starlight whirled around and found Pinkie standing there with a wide grin. “Finally what?” the filly repeated cheerfully.

Starlight quickly hid the newspaper behind her back with her magic. “Uhh, finally…finally, the weekend is almost here!” she said with a nervous chuckle.

Pinkie gave her a curious look. “But don’t we have school on the weekends too?”

Starlight giggled uncharacteristically as she began to push Pinkie out the door. “Well, uh, I might consider having two days off each week, heh. Now why don’t you run along and, and play with your sisters, hmm?”

“O-Oh. Oka—"

Starlight quickly shut the door behind the filly and sighed. Her plan had worked. It worked, without a hitch, and she still had plenty more to do, but…as far as Equestria is concerned, their precious heroes were deceased. Yet…somehow, she didn’t feel like jumping for joy. She thought she’d be… more thrilled. Maybe I’m just tired. Starlight skimmed over the article once more, catching the words ‘Spike’, ‘Discord,’ and ‘Anguish’ and ‘Wrath’. She rolled her eyes, folding up the newspaper and hiding it under her mattress along with the rest. She didn’t have time to read what the spirit of chaos had to say this time. She had work to do.

“Twilight, Twilight, Twilight!”

The purple unicorn grunted in irritation and finally looked up from her book. “What?”

“Whatcha doin’~?”

“I’m reading, Pinkie.”

“Oh.” Pinkie shuffled on her hooves before beaming. “Wanna play with me?”

“Not now, Pinkie.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m getting really far in this book.” Her tone shifted a little, due to her excitement. “Now that I can read, I think I’ll try this…teleportation spell!”

Pinkie looked at the book’s pages curiously. “What’s…tal..talla…”

“Teleportation is magically appearing from one place to another without walking or flying—but you’d have no use for it.”

Pinkie’s face scrunched up. “Yes I would!”

“No you wouldn’t. You’re an earth pony, you can’t teleport if you wanted to!”

Pinkie stomped her hoof. “Yes I can! If you can do it, then so can I!”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “You’re really being a pest. I’m not telling you that you can’t do it out of spite—I’m telling you because you really can’t!”

“I can TOO!” Pinkie huffed. “And you are spiting me! You’re always spiting me!” With that, she turned and stomped away.

“I can teach you how to read paragraphs if you want!” Twilight called after her.

Still stomping, Pinkie simply turned her head and blew a raspberry in her sister’s direction.

“Beep boop beep! AAAH, WATCH OUT! IT’S A SPACE ALIEN!”

“Stay strong, Hurricane! We'll get through this!”

Pinkie blinked. “Huh?”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack stampeded towards her, their upper and lower parts of their bodies sticking out of the cardboard boxes they were wearing. They also had silver strainers on their heads as helmets. “Outta the way, space alien!” Rainbow yelled as they whizzed past Pinkie.

She turned around and grinned at them. “Can I play too?”

“No way, you’re too little!” Rainbow called back before blasting off.

Applejack glanced back at Pinkie and shrugged. “Sorry, Pinks. You’d only get hurt!”

Pinkie scowled as her sisters continued to play their space game without her. “We’re the same age!” she cried.

A soft sweet voice spoke up. “You can play with us, Pinkie.” Pinkie turned and saw Fluttershy and Rarity sitting a few feet away with their little grey tea set.

Pinkie squeed and trotted over to them. “I can? You really mean it?”

Rarity nodded and held out one of their dolls. “Here. You can be Mrs. Twinklebottom.”

Pinkie happily accepted the doll and plopped down on the floor. “It’s nice to know that my NICEST SISTERS want to play with me,” Pinkie said loudly.

“Are we really your nicest sisters, Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked, smiling hopefully.

“Uh huh. Twilight says I can’t tallaport and Rainbow Dash and Applejack wouldn’t let me play space cadet! At least A.J. was kinda sorta nice about it, but Rainbow called me an alien!”

“That’s not very nice,” Fluttershy said with a slight frown.

“I know! It makes me so mad; I just wanna…hit her!”

Rarity grinned. “Yeah, we should hit her!”

Fluttershy cleared her throat. “It’s not nice to hit.”

“I know. But it still makes me want to though. What are you guys playing?”

Rarity held up her doll with her magic. “We’re playing house. I'm a fairy Princess, and I just invited Fluttershy, the Mermare Princess, and her baby to my house so that they can have tea with me and my baby.”

Pinkie looked around at the other dolls, but they were all the same; grey ponies with stringy-rug like manes stapled to their scalps.

“Uhh…how can you tell which is which?”

Rarity held her ‘baby’ close. “Mother's intuition.”

The pink filly didn’t know what that meant, but went along with it. Fluttershy stroked her doll’s mane thoughtfully. “If I had a daughter, I’d name her Posey, just like my doll.”

“That’s pretty,” Rarity complimented as her blue aura closed around the teapot. “Anypony want some tea? I made it myself.”

“Thank you,” Pinkie said politely as Rarity poured her a pretend cup of tea. She sat with silent satisfaction as Rarity poured more cups.

“And now,” The unicorn announced after they had finished their tea, “Fluttershy and Posey goes home.”

Fluttershy walked her doll across the floor. “Bye everypony!” she made Posey say.

Rarity rested her hoof on her chin. “I wish I actually had a wand. Then I could turn Fluttershy into a pony—so she could dance at the ball with a handsome prince!”

Fluttershy nodded.

Pinkie gasped suddenly. “I know! Wait here!” She bounced up and raced to the kitchen. She went over to the counter and searched for a large fork or spoon that went in a straight line to serve as a wand. She stood up on her hind legs opened one of the silverware drawers and stuck her hoof inside with her tongue sticking out.

Then something caught her eye. It was that fancy looking stick with a curved handle that looked like a U that mommy had brought home about a month ago. It hung horizontally on the kitchen wall. The perfect wand! Pinkie thought.

Of course, mommy had warned the girls to never touch it ever—but she would only borrow it for a little while. Then she would put it back. Rarity the fairy Princess needed a wand after all! With her mind made up, she grabbed a nearby chair and pushed it under the stick and carefully, carefully, climbed on top. Pinkie paused for a moment when the chair wobbled slightly, afraid she might fall.

“Pinkie, what’s taking so long?” Rarity called from the living room.

“Be right there, Rares!” Gathering up her courage, she quickly reached up and lifted the stick from its hinges and jumped down from the chair. She took the stick in her mouth as she pushed the chair back to where it was before. “Dish ish huvea den ah tot,” she said to herself, her mouth full of wood.

She proudly made her way back to the living room—this, however, didn’t go unnoticed by Applejack, who saw Pinkie with the stick, her green eyes almost bulging out of her head. “Pinkie!” She fell over sideways, and tumbled out of her box when it hit the floor.
She scrambled to her hooves and lunged forward, grabbing the other end of the stick. “Pinkie, put that back right now!”

The stick slid out of her mouth, but Pinkie grabbed the stick again, this time with her hooves. “I’m only borrowing it!” Pinkie argued as the girls had a tug of war with the stick.

“It doesn’t matter! Give it!”

“No!”

“Stop pulling, you’ll break it!”

“No I won’t! You will!”

Applejack gritted her teeth in frustration. Knowing this was getting her nowhere, she suddenly thrust the stick in Pinkie’s direction, which threw her off balance. Applejack then pulled back, but was not prepared for the sheer force that came with it. She stumbled backwards and fell against the wall.

Snap!

Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and stared wide eyed at the misfortune that just befell on mom's possession. Applejack looked down at the floor in dismay and saw that the beautiful stick had snapped in two.

“O-Oh…oh no,” Pinkie half-whispered.

Twilight rushed over, her expression horrified. “Applejack, what—"

“I’m sorry!” Pinkie blurted. “I-It was an accident! I-I took the stick from the wall and Applejack tried to take it, but I—"

“Oh, nice going, Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash said angrily.

“Why did you do that?” Rarity moaned in complete distress.

“B-B-But I—"

“N-No, it was…it was my fault,” Applejack said, slowly getting up from the floor. “I used too much force when I pushed it forward and back…I was just trying to put it back where it was…”

Twilight frantically began to pace in a circle. “Okay. Okay, we can fix this. We can either try to glue it back together or make an exact replica of the stick before playtime’s over.” She glanced at the clock on the wall and turned to the others with a crazed grin. “We’ve got less than three minutes!”

Applejack shook her head. “No, Twi, it’s okay. I’ll just tell mom it was an accident, and—"

“No way!” Rainbow Dash interrupted fiercely. “There’s no way you’re telling mom about this!”

“Why not?”

“Because you’ll get in trouble,” Fluttershy said, her eyes filled with worry.

“Well, yeah, for a little while, but—"

Twilight suddenly stopped pacing and poked Applejack in the chest. “But nothing. We’re gonna stick together on this, Applejack. No matter what, nopony spills the beans about this stick. Got it?”

Everyone else nodded their heads and murmured in agreement.

Applejack shifted uncomfortably. “Guys—"

“What do we do with the stick?” Rarity asked.

“Starlings~!”

The girls broke out into cold sweat at the sound of their mother’s voice.

“Oh no!” Fluttershy gasped. “It’s mom!”

“Twilight, what do we do?” Applejack whispered.

Twilight set her jaw. “Pinkie, Fluttershy, go distract her. The rest of you guys help me get this to the kitchen!”

Pinkie and Fluttershy raced to the back of the living room and stopped Starlight at the doorway. “Mom! Uhh, doesn’t it look like a beautiful day?” Fluttershy asked, pointing up at ‘skylight’.

Starlight looked up and nodded. “Yes, it does.” She tried to move past the girls, but they quickly blocked her path and pulled on her legs.

“Mommy, why is the sky blue?”

Starlight gave Pinkie an odd look. “Well...because it reflects the ocea—"

“Where does the moon go when the sun rises?”

“I’d rather no—"

Fluttershy tugged on Starlight’s tail. “Mom, how old are you?”

“Fluttershy, a lady my age never reveals how old they are.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s not appropriate.”

“Why?”

Starlight sighed. “Because it just isn’t, Fluttershy. Now if you girls will excuse me, I have lunch to prepare!”

She broke free of her daughters’ grasp and stepped into the living room. Fluttershy gave Pinkie a frantic look. Thinking on a dime, Pinkie darted forward and threw herself in front of Starlight. “Mommy! WHERE DO FOALS COME FROM??”

Starlight’s mouth fell open in shock. “U-Uh…uhhh….” Just then Twilight and Rainbow Dash ran in, giving their sisters a quick wink.

“Hey mom!” Rainbow chirped.

Starlight grinned. “Ahaha…time for me to fix lunch!”

“We’re going to get caught.”

“No we’re not.”

“She’s going to find out!”

“I’m scared.”

“Keep it down, I’m trying to sleep!”

“How can you sleep at a time like this?”

“Guys, shut up!”

It was well into the afternoon, and all the girls were in their beds for the naptime—but no one could sleep, knowing that Starlight would soon find out that her special stick was gone. “What did you do with it?” Pinkie whispered.

“We tried to glue it, but it barely stuck together,” Rarity said tiredly. “We stuck it under the sink at the last minute.”

“This is all your fault, Pinkie,” Rainbow muttered.

Pinkie’s ears flattened against her head. “I’m sorry! I-I just wanted to prove that I was big enough to play with you guys. I didn’t mean for the stick to break. Maybe if I just told mommy that I grabbed it—"

“If you tell mom, I’ll wring your neck!”

Pinkie fell silent and shrunk back against her pillow.

Twilight sighed. “It was more my fault. I wasn’t paying attention.”

“No, it was mine,” Rarity said. “I shouldn’t have let her go into the kitchen.”

“Mom’s gonna hear us,” Applejack warned.

Rainbow Dash groaned and fell on her back against the sheets, her forelegs spread apart in exhaustion. “We’re in deep Horseapples, guys.”

Twilight’s eyes widened considerably. “Where did you hear that?”

“From mom, when she found out that Fluttershy wet the bed.”

Fluttershy sat straight up, blushing bright pink. “N-No I didn’t!” she squealed.

“Did too.”

“Did not!”

“Be quiet!” Rarity hissed.

“And Horseapples isn’t a bad word,” Applejack whispered to Rainbow.

“Yes it is!”

“Is not.”

“Is too.”

“Is no—"

The door flew open and banged against the wall, revealing infuriated Starlight. Fluttershy gasped and dove under the covers while the others sat there with their mouths open, frozen with fear.

At first, the girls thought their mother had heard them talking, but then she held up the two broken halves of the stick with her magic, making their hearts drop into their stomachs. With her eyes were ablaze with fury, she spoke through clenched teeth. “Everypony…in the living room…now.”

Starlight paced back and forth in front of her daughters, who stood in a line with guilty expressions. Somepony had broken her staff of sameness. The only reminder of the best years of her life—gone. She had found it lying on the ground a month ago, and decided to take it as a souvenir. Her time as mayor truly changed her for the better, not to mention other ponies…and it would’ve lasted longer, if it weren’t for the six ponies that stood before her now.

Another thing they’ve ruined for me, she thought bitterly. History repeats. I can’t believe I ever felt sorry for these brats in the first place…I’ve taught them everything, gave them everything…and this is what I get in return? She turned towards the fillies, watching them cower under her gaze. If they deceived me before, they’ll deceive me again. But this time, I know how to weed them out…

“Somepony,” she seethed, “Had better tell me who’s responsible for this. I thought I had made it clear for you to never touch my staff. And what did you do?”

The girls lowered their heads.

“You deliberately disobeyed me! Now I want to hear it from you. Come on, now. Who broke my staff?”

The girls continued to remain silent as the scraped their hooves against the floor. Starlight raised an eyebrow. “Fluttershy?”

The pegasus squeaked but kept her gaze to the floor. “I…I didn’t do it, mommy.”

Starlight straightened up. “So that’s how it’s going to be, hmm? Well, let me tell you something. Don’t you dare try covering up for each other, because if you do, all of you will be punished. So I’m going to give you a choice. If you refuse to turn yourselves in, all of you will get a whipping.”

The girls prevented themselves from gasping.

“But if you just come out and say it, the rest of you will be spared—although you’ll still get a whipping—more painful than the one you’ll get altogether. It’s up to you. You have five seconds.”

Applejack raised her head. The others threw her desperate side glances and shook their heads slightly. She gave them a look of apology and took a deep breath.

“Five…four…”

“It was me,” Applejack croaked, stepping forward. “I broke your staff by accident.”

Pinkie stumbled forward and clutched at Starlight’s leg. “It was an accident, mommy!” she cried. “Please don’t hurt her! I—" Starlight pushed Pinkie off, sending her flat on her flank.

“Go to your room, girls,” she whispered, her tone devoid of emotion.

Twilight cautiously stepped forward. “B-B-But, mom—"

“GO TO YOUR ROOM!”

The girls quickly scampered off, some crying openly. Starlight waited until she heard the door shut. She looked down at Applejack, who looked back up at her with solemn eyes.

“Go to my room and lie on your stomach on the bed. I’ll be there shortly.” Applejack nodded shakily and walked towards her mother’s room, careful not to trip over her own trembling hooves.

Applejack buried her face in her fore hooves as she waited for her mother to come in the room. She never got a whipping before—none of the girls have. Their mother would often warn them about receiving a beating whenever they got in trouble, but they would always end up standing in the corner or put in time out. But…never this.

The wait was almost excruciating to Applejack. Minutes ticked by as she continued to lay there on Starlight’s bed. She was sure the wait itself was the worst punishment; so much, she was starting to wish that her mom would come in already, and get it over with.

That was, until Starlight finally entered the room and closed the door behind her. I take it back. I wish I was still waiting!

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Starlight carrying a long, thin switch. She gulped and closed her eyes. “Applejack,” Starlight began, “I’m very disappointed…and I’m also very saddened that I have to inflict this upon you. But I am your mother, and I expect you to obey me. She leaned down to Applejack’s level, forcing the filly to open her eyes. The cold expression in her mother's eyes shook her to the core. “I won’t be ignored, Applejack. Not by you, not by anypony. Let this be an example. Do you understand?”

Applejack nodded. “Y-Yes, ma’am.” The little earth pony closed her eyes as Starlight moved behind her. After a few suspenseful seconds, the switch came down. Agonized screams echoed throughout the caves.

Fluttershy wringed out the washcloth and gently placed it on Applejack’s back, making her wince. “Sorry,” Fluttershy whispered.
The girls crowded around Applejack’s bed, some blinking tears from their eyes. Applejack lay flat on her stomach, her back exposed.

Angry red lacerations colored her backside. The slashes ranged from long to short, along with little cuts. Her bright red welts glinted in the sunshine from the window. Applejack clenched her teeth, trying to ignore the pain. “S’okay,” she grunted.

Twilight’s lips trembled while Pinkie sobbed into her shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Applejack,” the unicorn whispered. “I should’ve said it was me instead…”

Applejack shook her head.

“Why’d you do that, A.J.?” Rainbow squeaked, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes.

Fluttershy placed another wet washcloth on Applejack’s back.

The injured filly sniffled. “I…I couldn’t let any of you get punished for what I did,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her reddened eyes trailed to the ceiling. “I had to tell the truth…even if it meant I got hurt….I had to…”

Twilight then noticed something red poking out from one of the wash cloths. Thinking it was a pool of blood, she removed it to get a better look. Her breath hitched in her throat. “A-Applejack…”

Everyone gasped, their eyes glued to their sister’s flank. Applejack blinked in confusion and craned her neck. Her eyes grew large at the sight of three apples imprinted on her flank. “…Whoa, nelly!”

The girls stared at her like she grew wings. “Applejack…” Rarity whispered. “What happened to your voice?”

Applejack paused, and replied with her high southern accent, “…I don’t know.”

Author's Note

Dun dun duuuun!

Yikes, my fingers are on fire :raritydespair: but I'm happy with how this turned out :pinkiehappy: What Starlight herself is going through, is how much she's starting to care about the elements, but in a way, she's not ready to have those kids of feelings yet. Like any parent would, discipline is almost always a sign of love, and that scares her.

One note though, I'll be going to a two week long camping thing soon, so starting August 2nd, this story will probably go on a two-week hiatus, so I'm going to try to get out another chapter until then.

And I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to add the sad tag :fluttershyouch: I'll try to keep things more light, but we'll see how this goes...

Chapter 4 - Fade Away

The sun sinks behind dark misty mountains like a stone falls into water.

Two halves of the same mourn for their daughter.

For you were the sun that shined brighter every day

Though it pleased a dark cloud to take you away.

Three sisters, three balloons, smile their best

Because we know in our hearts, in heaven’s arms you rest.

As long as laughter is heard, your spirit will never die

From Maud, to you, my sweet sister Pinkie Pie.

“Whaddaya mean, you don’t know?” Rainbow demanded.

“Yeah,” Pinkie breathed, unable to take her eyes off the brand new cutie mark. “Fruit just appeared on your butt!”

Applejack swished her tail in slight annoyance. “It ain’t my fault!”

Twilight winced slightly at the grammatical error. “Isn’t.”

“What?”

“It isn’t your fault. This calls for an investigation.” She pulled out a notebook and pencil and started writing things down.

Rarity slowly began to panic. “This is awful! What would mom say? You brought a...a cutie mark into this house! This is a disgrace!” Applejack’s ears flattened. “Maybe if I could make a dress or something to cover it up—"

“No,” Applejack said firmly. She winced as she sat up, letting the washcloths slide off her back. “No more lies. It’s best if I tell her. She’s gonna find out sooner or later.”

Fluttershy clutched at Applejack’s foreleg. “B-But…what if mommy…”

Applejack fixed her with a glare, stopping Fluttershy short. “No more lies,” she stated firmly. “Lyin’s what got me into this in the first place…” She looked down at her cutie mark and turned away in shame. “M-Maybe she could fix it. Make it go away.”
The girls stopped to consider this. Applejack was right. Maybe mom could fix the cutie mark, and then everything would go back to normal.

“I guess so…” Twilight said carefully.

“What’s it like?” Pinkie blurted suddenly. This time, no one reprimanded her for even entertaining the thought of having a cutie mark, because everyone was secretly thinking the exact same question.

Applejack thought for a moment. “I don’t feel any different. It’s just there, I guess.”

“Well, you sure talk funny,” Rainbow said with a bit of humor.

Applejack gently rubbed her throat. “What happened to my voice? Maybe cutie marks automatically change your voice when you get it.”

“Cutie mark….causes ….voice change….” Twilight murmured as she scribbled it down on the sheet of paper. She stopped and looked her sister up and down. “Other than those things, you haven’t changed at all. Do you feel it on you?”

“Nope. I might have felt a weird tingle, but that was it.”

Rarity squinted her eyes. “But what does it mean? Three apples? That doesn’t make any sense!”

“Mom says that ponies get a cutie mark when they know their special talent,” Rainbow reminded them. “Maybe she’s an apple taste tester.”

“That’s a terrible job!” Applejack said, wrinkling her nose. “I don’t even like apples that much. They hurt my teeth!”

“Well your name is Applejack,” Fluttershy suggested. “Maybe that means something?”

“That’s actually a really good point, Fluttershy,” Twilight said, jotting it down. “Maybe it’s name related.”

Pinkie beamed. “Oooh! Maybe my cutie mark will be something pink! Sunsets are pink sometimes. Maybe my special talent is chasing sunsets! That’ll be fun!”

“I’m good at…being shy,” Fluttershy said.

“That’s every day,” Applejack pointed out.

“But... that doesn’t mean it would be any less good than yours.”

Rainbow looked at her own flank and scratched her head. “Uhh…maybe I…discover rainbows? Or…dash to places?”

Rarity snorted. “Some talent.”

“Oh, like your invisible talent? It’ll be rare alright!” Rainbow shot back.

Twilight stomped her hoof before Rarity could retort.

“That’s enough! Don’t you see what’s happening? Look at us! Already, we’re fighting over what kind of talent we’ll have! Just like mom said we would!” The girls stood in shocked silence and lowered their heads. “Soon, we’ll tear each other apart, our friendship ruined, and for what?” Twilight looked around at her downtrodden sisters. None of them dared to look her in the eye. “What?” Twilight repeated angrily.

A single tear ran down Fluttershy’s cheek. “I don’t know what came over me…”

“Cutie marks need to be stopped,” Rarity murmured. “It turned us against each other in just minutes! I’m sorry, Rainbow.”

"Me too, Rares."

“Girls! Time for dinner!”

Applejack felt her stomach churn. “I guess this is it, then.”

“Don’t worry A.J.," Pinkie said as they made their way to the main room. “Mom’s gonna fix everything, you’ll see…then you’ll be just like us again.” Despite her positive words, her voice lacked its usual enthusiasm.

Rainbow narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “By the way…you don’t think you’re better than us, do you?”

Applejack sighed. “No. In fact, I feel worse. Who knows what else this mark is capable of.”

They trailed into the dining room where Starlight waited beside the dinner table. “Dinner’s ready,” she announced, looking at her daughters expectantly. The girls ducked their heads and looked anywhere but at her, cringing slightly.

Starlight frowned in confusion. “Is there something wrong?”

Her only response was the nervous shuffling of hooves. Starlight straightened up. “Is this because of what happened this afternoon? If so, do not go about thinking that punishing you is something I personally enjoy. I want you girls to know—"

“Mom,” Applejack squeaked, stepping forward. “I did somethin’ terrible.”

Starlight’s heart dropped into her stomach, and her coat turned three shades lighter. Her voice. Her southern accent. How? “W…what did you say, Applejack?”

With watery eyes, Applejack turned to the side, revealing her cutie mark. Starlight gasped and stumbled backward into the dinner table, knocking over a bowl of lukewarm soup. The girls visibly flinched at the sound of broken glass, shattering the atmosphere.

For the first time in years, Starlight felt hard cold fear wash over her. It’s not possible! I erased everything! EVERYTHING! Well…except for their knowledge of their own names…but even so, they shouldn’t be able to get their cutie marks back! It can’t be done! She nervously glanced at the other fillies, looking fearful and anxious. But most of all, they looked curious and expectant. The unicorn started to breathe heavily. What am I going to do? What am I going to...

Her eyes focused on Applejack and saw tears running down the filly’s face. “Why are you crying, Applejack?”

The young girl looked up, her eyes filled with regret and shame. “I…I’m sorry, mama. I didn’t mean to get…this. I don’t know how it happened or why…I…I….” Applejack flung herself into Starlight’s embrace and buried her face into her chest. Her tiny body wracked with sobs as she struggled with her words. “I’m sorry! P-Please don’t kick me out! I don’t wanna be different! I wanna be equal…I’m no better than anypony else…”

Starlight’s eyes widened slightly. Maybe…maybe this wasn’t for naught after all…it seems I still have her mind…but what about her heart? If I can convince her…make her see….

She gently pushed her daughter back and sat down on her haunches, gazing into Applejack’s red puffy eyes. “Do you truly wish that, Applejack?” she asked seriously, her expression slightly hopeful. “Are you truly willing to accept Equality into your life? Do you see cutie marks as I see them?” She took Applejack’s face in her hooves, brushing a strand of blonde hair out of her eyes. “I can help you, Applejack. My little sunshine. But only if you are willing.”

Applejack nodded quickly, her face still cupped in Starlight’s hooves. “Yes, mama! Please! Fix this! I’m not special. I know I'm not! We all are…with cutie mark, we’re different…and disagreeing…and fighting. I don’t want any of that...honest.”

An odd sound cut through the air. Before Starlight could open her mouth, Pinkie squealed. “Look!”

Everyone gasped as the three apples on Applejack’s flank morphed into an equal sign. Applejack’s eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she collapsed to the floor.

“Applejack!” the fillies shrieked.

Wasting no time, Starlight quickly scooped her up and placed the unconscious filly onto her back. “Twilight, keep them here,” she called, racing inside her bedroom. She slammed the door behind her and locked it with her magic. She gently placed Applejack on her bed and felt for a pulse. Starlight sighed upon knowing that Applejack was still alive. Still, her pulse is weak. She paced around in a circle, breathing heavily. Beads of sweat started to form underneath her bangs.

That transformation nearly killed her. How is any of this possible? I mean…them being equal is what I’ve always dreamed of, but I’M supposed to give them the mark…when I decided they were ready. But she developed one of her own…. She turned to look at Applejack’s her eyes wide with realization. Because she believed in it. “Of course!” she said out loud. Noticing how loud she was, she lowered her voice.

“She gave herself the mark. Because she now knows the truth. But nopony can do that…although, she’s still an Element of Harmony. And from what I’ve read, the Elements of Harmony can defy all odds, defeat all those in its path….” A slow smile crept across her face. Except for me. I’ve changed their way of thinking, given them a new purpose in life…

Starlight sat on the bed and stared at Applejack for a long time. After a while, she slowly reached down and stroked Applejack’s cheek.

…But at what cost?

“I’m scared, mommy,” Rarity said quietly, her bread untouched. “What if she never wakes up?”

Starlight sighed and rubbed her temple. She had been asked that difficult question several times. Not knowing the answer made it worse for all of them. Applejack had been unconscious for three days now; the only sign of her being alive was her slow and steady breathing. Not one twitch, grunt, or even a snore.

The dinner table had quieted down considerably, and even though that silence during meals was a rare treat, Starlight found herself almost missing the noise. “I don’t know, Rarity,” Starlight said tiredly. “Your sister’s just…sleepy. That’s all. Just think of it as a long nap.”

Twilight silently watched her mother from across the table. She couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy when Starlight said that.
That’s not true, a little voice said inside her head. Not all of it, at least. Applejack’s in a coma. You know what coma means. Tell them. Tell them what you’ve learned. Tell mom you can read, and write, and count, and spell. You can even sound out big words now!
Twilight immediately pushed that thought to the back of her head.

I’m not better than anypony else. I’m average, and that’s a great thing to be.

“I wish I could sleep for days,” Rainbow Dash said, her voice cracking slightly. “Then I wouldn’t be bothered all the time.” She swung her hind legs under the table, swallowing the lump in her throat. “A.J.’s fine. You’re all worry warts.”

Fluttershy, who had been sitting silently throughout the entire dinner, pushed her plate back. “I’m not hungry,” she murmured. Everyone watched as she quietly slid off her chair, pushed it under the table, and slunk to the girl’s bedroom where Applejack slept.

“I’m done too,” Twilight said succinctly, using her magic to clear her plate. Rainbow was quick to follow.

“Me too.”

One by one, the girls picked up their still full plates and left the table, save Pinkie.

Starlight sighed heavily and buried her face in her hooves. What am I doing? Although she would like to think of her daughters the same, she couldn’t deny that Applejack was the most level headed filly in the house. She was the glue that held the group together. Now she could see that her sisters were lost without her. Lost without each other.

Pinkie took one look at Starlight and got off her chair. She crossed over and placed her tiny hoof over her mom's. Starlight lifted her head and looked down at the five year old in surprise. A bright and reassuring smile adorned her little face. “Don’t cry, mommy. Applejack’s gonna get better soon. We just need to keep hoping. She wouldn’t want us to be afraid. She’d want us to be strong…just like her.”

Starlight stared at the pink filly, her mouth half open. Without warning, she pulled Pinkie to her chest and buried her face deep into her mane; she was ruining the filly’s braids, but didn’t care.

Twilight stared at the cover of her book, the one she had kept secret for a whole year.

Star Swirl’s Properties of Magic.

She inhaled through her nose and opened the secret door in the living room. While mom was still busy in the dining room with Pinkie, she took the opportunity to get rid of the book for good. As much as she cared for it, it made her an individual. Something that set her apart from the family. It was hard, not just for her, but the others as well. It was the only secret the little Glimmers had shared. They had learned to read and write, and it was the only colorful thing they owned. But after what happened with Applejack….

Twilight squeezed her eyes shut. Books don’t make me smarter at all. It only made me a terrible sister.
She opened her eyes and put the book back and concealed the opening for the last time. She gave a broken hearted sigh, but deep inside, she knew she had done the right thing.

Applejack galloped through the dark forest, bumping and crashing into twisted trees that towered high above her. The wind howled over her terrified cries for help. Up in the darkened sky, high above the branches, storm clouds swirled around above her like an upside down whirlpool. The outline of a terrifying creature with wings and a horn appeared behind the thickness of the clouds and grew sharp teeth as it screamed her name. Applejack gasped in horror and ran faster, avoiding golden coins that scattered along the path. As she went deeper into the forest, her ears suddenly perked up.

“Applejack!”

She skidded to a halt and whirled around. “T-Twilight? Is that you!?”

“Applejack! Help me!”

The filly reared back and ran towards Twilight’s frightened voice. “I’m comin’ Twilight!”

The creature, the storm, nothing else mattered anymore. What mattered was getting to her sister. She came to a clearing that had a long cliff at the end of it. Twilight desperately hung on to the edge, her eyes wide with terror. “Applejack!” Her hooves began to slip, but Applejack dove forward and grabbed her hooves before she could go over the edge.

“I gotcha, Twi,” she grunted.

“Applejack,” Twilight strained, glancing over her shoulder at the bottomless void below. “What do we do?!”

“I’ll think of somethin’. Don’t you worry, sis. I’ll get us out of this!”

“Are you crazy?!” Twilight shrieked.

Applejack was surprised by Twilight’s words. “Whaddaya mean? If you got a better idea, I’d love to hear it!”

Twilight looked at her, but this time it was not an expression of fear. It was almost like her face had been erased of all emotion. Before Applejack could question, Twilight spoke, her eyes clouded. “We’re slipping.”

Applejack blinked in confusion. “What?” Then, a split second later, Applejack said something else. But it wasn’t her, it couldn’t be. She didn’t even feel her mouth open and her lips didn’t form the words. She wouldn’t, couldn’t say those awful words, even if they had no chance of surviving.

“Let go.”

Applejack’s scream lodged in her throat as Twilight tumbled down to the sharp rocks below.

“Applejack!”

“Applejack!” Twilight shook her crying sister. “Applejack, wake up! Wake up!”

Applejack’s eyes snapped open and bolted upright, gasping. “It’s alright!” Twilight said shakily, hugging the trembling filly. She made soothing sounds as she stroked Applejack’s mane, which was damp with sweat. “It was just a dream. Only a dream.”

Applejack slowly pulled back to look at Twilight. Her wide eyes drank in every bit of the little unicorn’s face. “You’re…you’re okay?”

Twilight blinked and let out a laugh. “Of course I am! It’s you we’re so worried about!”

“…We?”

She looked past Twilight and saw the rest of her sisters standing two feet behind with frightful expressions. Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What’s eating you guys?” The young girl was immediately blown back by joyous screams; countless hooves wrapped around her body, squeezing the life out of her.

“You’re alive!”

“Are you okay?”

“CAN YOU UNDERSTAND ME?”

“You must be awfully hungry!”

“Ugh! Give her room, everypony!” Twilight grunted, squished in between Fluttershy and Pinkie. The fillies backed off sheepishly, but only by a few inches.

Rainbow gave a weak grin. “You really had us going there, doofus,” she said, messing up Applejack’s bangs. “Don’t ever do that again, okay?”

Applejack smirked and poked her in the chest. “Wouldn’t count on it, brainless. But…what happened?”

“Ooh! Ooh! Lemme tell her!” Pinkie shouted before anypony else got a word in. “Remember when we accidently broke the stick and mom found out about it and everything?”

Applejack nodded.

“During naptime, you earned your cutie mark—"

“Cutie mark!?”

“Yeah, but after you told mom it disappeared! I guess she made it go away with her super eyeball powers, she’s that good! But then afterwards, you were like ‘Uuuugh’ and fell to the floor, and then we were like ‘Aaaaah!’ And you didn’t wake up for like three whole days—"

“Three days!?”

“Uh huh, and were really really scared!” She crawled forward and nuzzled her lovingly. “But you’re okay now, Applejack. I knew we wouldn’t lose you.”

An odd expression etched the other girl’s features. “What did you call me?”

The girls glanced at one another. “Uhhh….Applejack?” Pinkie repeated unsurely.

“What are you talking about? I’m not Applejack. I’m Sunshine, remember?”

“You see, mom?” Rainbow said, gesturing to Applejack. “She’s a total whack job!”

Starlight directed a stern gaze towards her. “What did I say about name-calling, Rainbow?”

“I’m sorry mom,” Rainbow said in a high, somewhat pleading voice, “But she’s acting like one!”

“Why do you keep calling her that, mom?” Applejack asked. The other fillies noticed that the accent from before had gone away. “You know her name’s Prism.”

“Yow not making any sense!” Rarity said exasperatingly, her lisp slipping in. “I’m stawting to think you hit yow head too hawd!”

“APPLEJACK,” Pinkie shouted, gripping said girl’s shoulders. “IT’S ME, PINKIE! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH!?”

Twilight irritably pulled her off. “She just lost her memory, she’s not deaf!”

Starlight, who had been silently watching them, finally spoke. “And your mark?” she inquired carefully. “You don’t find it…odd?”

Applejack glanced at her flank and looked up with a curious expression. “You mean this? I’ve always had this…didn’t I?”

The other fillies stood in shocked silence. They had never seen their sister this way. Her demeanor hadn’t changed, but she had a very confused way about her. Applejack was still here, yet she wasn’t. Some threw Starlight anxious looks, silently pleading her to do something—anything to heal their sister.

Starlight ignored them all, and walked over to Applejack, her hoof caressing her face. “Sunshine…why don’t you go to your room and lie down a bit, okay?”

Applejack stared at her mother and nodded. “…Okay. Maybe I do need a nap,” she mumbled, rubbing her head as she turned away. “I don’t feel too good…”

“It’s official,” Rainbow sighed as soon as she disappeared down the hall. “She’s lost it.”

Fluttershy’s ears flattened against her head. “I feel so bad for her…I wish there was something we could do…”

“There is something we can do,” Starlight said suddenly with her back turned.

The girls shared a surprised look. “There is?” Twilight asked hopefully.

“Yes.” Starlight turned to face them, smiling oddly. “Come with me, children…single file…”

The girls formed a line behind their mother without hesitation and followed closely from behind. “We’re going to mother’s room,” Fluttershy whispered. “We’re barely allowed in there.”

“Then it must be serious,” Rarity said quietly.

“Don’t worry,” Rainbow said to her. “Mom always knows what to do.”

Starlight opened her bedroom door, letting the girls inside. “Come right in, my starlings. Mommy’s going to make everything better.”
The girls drank in every bit of the room as much as they could. It was the only room in the cave that was off limits to them. It was quite simple with a bed, a side table, a closet, and a picture frame with an equal sign inside that hung above the bed. Everything about the room was very big and adult-like to them.

“It even smells grown up,” Rainbow whispered to Fluttershy.

Starlight wordlessly closed the door and turned to her five daughters, all lined up against the wall. She crossed over to them and let her eyes fall on each filly, one by one. “I’ve…I’ve been a good mother to you, haven’t I?”

The girls shared confused looks, perplexed at their mother’s odd question. “Well, of course you have,” Twilight answered with a smile. “You’re the best mom a girl could ask for!” The others nodded, backing up her words.

Starlight shifted slightly. “And…do you truly understand what it means to be Equal? Do you believe it with all your heart?”

“We understand, mommy,” Fluttershy said. “We know that equality brings peace to the world, even though not everypony understands that yet.”

“And that cutie marks cause hate,” Rainbow added. “Nopony sticks up for each other.”

“Differences bring selfishness,” Rarity said. “Equalness helps us be better ponies.”

Twilight nodded. “Everypony has the same talents, and the same strengths. It makes us stronger, being together.”

“And,” Pinkie chimed in, “We always, always, always greet each other with a grin, because it’s so much better knowing that you’re just like everypony else! That’s something to smile about!”

A wide grin traveled over Starlight’s face as symbols began to flash upon their flanks. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

A burst of blue light shot up from Starlight’s horn; a surge of magic swept around them, growing larger in size as it swirled about. The girls cried out and huddled together, some clinging to each other as the magical storm intensified.

“M-Mommy?!” Twilight shrieked. “What’s happening? What are you doing!?”

The mare stood with her eyes rolled back in euphoria, her calm yet crazed grin chilling Twilight to the bone. “I’m making it better, dear Twilight. Just like I promised.”

“I’m scaaaared!” Pinkie wailed, her face masked with tears of fright. Rarity and Fluttershy screamed at the top of their lungs.

“Don’t be afraid, my starlings,” Starlight smiled, tears running down her own cheeks. “You’re serving a higher purpose for your country….Equestria….will thank me.”

The five fillies latched onto one another and held on.

“I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”

“F-Fluttershy…”

“Let me guess. You’re Rainbow Dash.”

“THE one and only!”

“Oh, yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why Rarity, you are a talent!”

“Surprise! Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you!”

"I love you, Twily..."

Twilight opened her eyes, droplets of tears soaring skyward. “….Who are we?”

“Sleep, my dears. A new era is coming…”

Eight years later

Moonlight turned to her sister with a deadpanned expression. “You must be joking.”

But Pearl’s hopeful expression immediately trumped that idea. She was actually serious. Moonlight rolled her eyes. “Pearl, you know full well that we’re not allowed outside the cave walls.”

Pearl scuffed her hoof against the kitchen floor. “I-I know, but…we’re thirteen now. We can take care of ourselves!”

Moonlight went back to stirring her pot of porridge with her magic. “Our birthday was last week. Besides. Thirteen, eighteen doesn't matter. Mother would never allow it. We have everything we need right here, Pearlie. We have each other, that’s all that matters. Pass me that salt, please?”

The pink pony sighed and handed her the small glass container. The salt did nothing to improve the food, it was always fun to add…at least it used to be.

She trotted out of the kitchen and made her way to the bedroom, where she found Prism napping. The pegasus turned over on her bed and threw her an annoyed but sleepy glare. “Don’t you ever knock?”

“It’s my room too, you know,” Pearl replied, secretly happy that she disturbed Prism’s nap. She bounced over to Prism’s bed and leaned in. “I’m planning to do something that’s really dangerous, but exciting at the same time!”

Now, Prism was awake. “Yeah?”

“Mmm-hmm. I’m going to ask mom if we could go with her outside the cave.”

Prism snorted, shaking her head. “Yeah, right. You won't have the guts!”

“I am! And I will! Now that we’re teenagers, she’ll have to say yes!”

“You do remember the last time we asked, don’t you?”

“Well, that was a long time ago. Aren’t you the least bit curious? Don’t you want to know what it’s like outside?”

Prism leaned back onto her pillow and shielded her eyes with her forearm. “Of course I do. But rules are rules, Pearls.”

Pearl turned her head and gazed outside the window. The brilliant pink and violet sky stretched out for miles over the snowy ice capped mountains. Birds soared towards the sun, free as spirits.

“Dinner’s ready!” Moonlight called.

Prism leapt out of bed and scampered out the door. “Finally!”

Pearl slowly followed suit, but not before stealing another glance outside. "I am going to ask. At dinner. Just wait and see."

Author's Note

Yo! Finally back from camp, and it feels great to be back writing again. Starlight had figured out how to change their names, through their now firm beliefs, and their elements. She drew out the last bit of core memories they had, giving her more power over them. Starlight, you crafty villain, you. As I said before, I kept the mane six's names for a reason.

I'll try to update soon, though college welcome week is coming up next week. But my schedule is pretty rad, with three classes on Mondays, and only two classes for the rest of the week. I'm sure that'll give me more writing time then :pinkiehappy:

This is pretty much the turning point for the whole story arc. Next chapter, we're going into a whole new atmosphere, as hinted at the end of this chapter...but not in the way you think.

Thank you!

Chapter 5 - Like Glimmers in the Sky Part 1

“Hi, sis. I thought I’d come here to visit. Sorry if I haven’t been around much, but…” The young mare chuckled. “Becoming a singer songwriter does keep me occupied now and then. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, you know? It’s what I’ve always wanted...and you wanted it for me….”

Tears slowly trickled down her cheeks. “It still hurts, Rarity.”

She knelt down and removed a withering bouquet from her sister’s tombstone and replaced it with a fresh one. She gave a weak smile, brushing her tears away. “I love you, big sis...I have to go now…” Sweetie Belle stood up and glanced the five other tombstones placed side by side, rose petals blowing in the wind. “And...if you see Granny Smith...tell her we miss her too.”

“Porridge again?” Prism moaned, plopping into her chair. Pearl silently took a seat beside her.

“With peas!” Moonlight said indignantly.

“I thought you liked porridge,” Sapphire said from across the table, patting her bun.

“Yeah, but not five days in a row.”

“Now, Prism,” Starlight reprimanded, setting seven glasses of water on place holders. “Moonlight worked hard on your dinner, the least you can do is show your appreciation for it.” She paused as she silently counted the heads of her daughters. “Pearl, Prism, go and tell Buttercup that dinner is ready.”

Just then, Buttercup hovered in the dining room, her wings flapping awkwardly. “Oh, oh my goodness—oh no… I—oof!” she landed flat on her stomach in a less than graceful landing. “Ouch.”

“Dinner’s ready!” Prism and Pearl chorused.

“Good try, Buttercup,” Sunshine smiled as the latter sat beside her.

“But not good enough,” Buttercup sighed. “I just don’t think I’m cut out for flying.”

Starlight frowned. “Now don’t you say that, Buttercup. You are an average flyer, just like your sister.”

“But mom…I'm not sure I even like flying—"

“None of that now,” Starlight interrupted as she and Moonlight sat at the table. “You’ll keep practicing until you get it right. Prism will continue to help you.”

Prism nodded and put her elbows on the table. “You see, Buttercup,” she explained, her fore hooves slightly spread apart. “It’s like toilet training.”

Half the table groaned. “Disgusting,” Sapphire muttered, scooping up her porridge with a spoon.

“Why am I even related to her,” Moonlight whispered under her breath.

Starlight fixed the cyan pegasus with a warning glare. “There will be no toilet talk at the dinner table, understood?”

Pearl held in a giggle and picked up a bowl and held it out. “Here, Prism, want a pea or two?”

Prism smirked and accepted the bowl. “Sure, I’ll take a dump.”

Sunshine flew a hoof to her mouth to conceal her grin; the not-so-subtle puns went completely over their mother’s head.

Moonlight kicked Prism under the table. “Ow! What?”

The dinner carried on without incident. Pearl’s heart thumped inside her chest. The plates were almost completely empty. She briefly considered backing out, but then she remembered how free those birds were. She was dying to get the chance to see what the world was like, even if it was for a day. She tapped her hoof lightly on the table. It was now or never. She took a deep breath. “Mom?”

Starlight lifted her eyes to meet hers. “Yes?”

Pearl stole a brief glance at Prism who regarded her with wide eyes. “Well, uh, I was thinking…since we’re thirteen now…” She fidgeted in her seat. “Maybe we could…go with you outside the cave tomorrow?”

Everyone froze, spoons clattering onto the table. Buttercup even let out a gasp, but it was barely louder than a whisper. Pearl shrank under her sibling’s glares, ranging from ‘Are you out of your mind?’ to ‘You’re bucked’. And Starlight…if looks could kill.

The silence stretched on for what it felt like forever, and Pearl was beginning to think that it was a huge mistake when Starlight finally spoke.
“Pearl. I have fed you. Loved you. Gave birth to you, nursed you as a foal, and sheltered you from the harshness of the mountains. And still, it’s not enough. I’ve given up everything for you girls, and you can’t even grant me one simple request I ask for in return?”

“B-But—"

“I’m speaking,” Starlight hissed. Pearl closed her mouth. Starlight stepped off her chair and paced around the table. “I have said, time and time again that I will let you venture the world when I’m certain that you’re ready for it!”

“We’re never ready for it!” Pearl argued.

Moonlight gasped. “Pearl!”

“No, she’s right!” Prism cut in, her eyebrow furrowing. “I-I mean we’ve learned so much and—and we do our chores and follow all the rules—we should be allowed to go out, at least one time.”

Moonlight’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets and Starlight gave them the death glare. Buttercup sunk lower and lower in her chair while Sapphire took a sudden interest in the table cloth.

Sunshine swallowed nervously. “W-what they mean is, uh—you’ve taught us a whole lot and we appreciate it. Erm…but living in the mountain for so long…I admit that they’ve…we’ve… been feeling a little antsy lately.”
She broke into cold sweat when Starlight’s angry gaze shifted to her. She chuckled uneasily. “Maybe one outing wouldn’t hurt?”

Starlight inhaled sharply through her nose. The teenagers leaned back in their seats for the angry tirade that was sure to come. To their surprise, Starlight smiled. “Well then! If you all feel this way, I have just the thing to cure your antsiness!”

“Thanks a whoooole lot, guys,” Moonlight muttered, letting herself fall into bed, sighing in relief as she did so. “I really needed those five hours of cleaning the kitchen and dining room.”

“And Moonlight Sapphire and I didn’t even do anything,” Buttercup added in frustration. Strands of pink hair escaped her bun and clung to her face and neck in thick sweat.

Sapphire nodded in agreement. “It’s not fair!” She loosened her hair tie and let her long purple mane fall over her shoulders. “Ohh. That’s much better. I had to clean the bathrooms.” She shivered at the memory. “Ewwww!”

Prism snorted. “Oh yeah? Try wiping down all the furniture and washing all the windows! If I didn’t pass inspection, I had to start all over again! Besides, I still think that mom’s overreacting about the whole ‘outside’ thing.”

“Well, I hope you’re happy with yourselves.” Moonlight scowled at the ceiling. “Because now, she probably doesn’t trust us to do anything until we’re thirty!”

“Well maybe that makes her wrong,” Pearl said simply, her eyes transfixed by the sky once more. “She can’t keep us bottled up forever.”

Moonlight turned her head. “I’ve never seen you act like this, Pearl.” Said girl lowered her gaze towards the floor, eliciting a small smile from the purple unicorn. “Where’s our happy care free Pearlie that we know and love?”

“She’s tired of staying in one place all her life,” Pearl sighed. She turned to the others. “I want to be out there, with other ponies! No matter how big this place is, it always seems a lot smaller than it used to be.” She threw up her hooves. “If I spend another minute in this mountain, I’ll go crazy!” The frustrated earth pony threw herself face down onto Prism’s bed.

“So what would you have us do?” Sunshine said flatly. “Hold a protest and demand our rights?”

Pearl lifted her head and frowned. “No, that’ll never work. We don’t even have enough poster boards.” The sound of hooves slapping against faces filled the room. Pearl suddenly brightened. “But you know what we could do…”

“Forget it,” Sapphire mumbled, closing her eyes.

“We could sneak out while she’s grocery shopping!”

“Could somepony rub my back?” Sunshine asked.

“I’m serious! Mom would never know! As long as we get back in time—"

“Now hold on just a minute!” Sapphire interrupted. “There’s no way in tartarus are we going behind mother’s back!”

“Sapphire!” Buttercup gasped. “Language!”

“Well, we aren’t!”

“Oh, come on, guys!” Pearl whined. “I think I’m gonna do it. It’s now or never! Come with me, please! Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaaaaaaaase!”

Prism looked incredulous. “Are you crazy?! No, wait, let me rephrase that. You’re crazy!”

Peal smiled. “Am I?” She went over to her own bed and climbed in, pulling the covers over her body. “Goodnight~!” she sang.

The girls looked at one another, completely mystified. “Goodnight,” they replied uncertainly.

Sapphire turned off the lights, but the five girls lie awake in their beds not knowing if their sister was serious or not.

“And there’s bread cooking in the oven,” Starlight concluded, levitating her saddlebag onto her back. “I believe that’s it! Moonlight, this week, you are in charge. Please, be on your best behavior. Let’s not have a repeat of last time…”

The girls glanced at Buttercup, who blushed.

Starlight smiled and kissed each girl on the cheek. “I’ll return at five thirty. Be sure to review your lessons on the flashcards I left for you!” She turned to the enormous bolder that blocked the exit and moved it with her magic.

The girls waved goodbye as their mother stepped through the opening and sealed it shut. Afterwards, the girls dispersed throughout the house, intending to enjoy their free time. Prism hung back to watch Pearl, just to see what she would do.

The youngest sibling hummed a tune and went over to pick up a feather duster with her tail. Smiling, she sauntered her way to the living room and dusted the coffee table. Prism eyed her warily and followed her. “Hey Pearl,” she said casually. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Getting my chores done early so I have the rest of the day to explore the outside world,” Pearl replied cheerfully.

Prism blinked. "...I'll be right back." She turned and ran to the bedroom.

Moonlight sat in bed, reading through the flashcards that magically hung to her eye level. “The confines of a cutie mark can harm yourself and others…”

“Moonlight! Moonlight!” Prism yelled, jumping on the end of her sister’s bed. The unicorn rolled her eyes, not bothering to lower the cards.

“Yes, my hot tempered sibling?”

“She’s going through with it! I mean, she’s really going through with it!”

“There’s more than one ‘She’ in this house, Prism, you’ll have to clarify.”

Prism groaned in frustration. “Wake up, Moon! Pearl’s doing her chores early!”

This time, Moonlight lifted her eyes from the flash cards and laughed. “Oh, goodness! Pearl’s cleaning early? The horror!”

“Listen to me!” Prism pushed the flash cards with her hoof and pushed her nose against Moonlight’s. “Pearl’s doing her chores early so she has the rest of the day to go off and do who knows what! She told me herself!”

Moonlight leaned back and frowned. “But…she can’t. Even if she does go through the cave opening, she’ll just find more mountain. All those paths and turns…nopony knows the way but mom. Plus, she’s probably just bluffing…”

Prism raised an eyebrow. “Do you really wanna take that chance?”

Without a word, Moonlight got up and bounded into the hall with Prism at her heels. Half way through, they bumped into Sapphire. “Oh! I’m sorry… what’s wrong?” Sapphire asked, seeing their distraught expressions.

“Pearl,” Moonlight rasped.

They pushed forward, leaving Sapphire flabbergasted. She ran to catch up with them. “Wait! What did she do now?”

“It’s more what she’s about to do,” Prism replied without looking back.

As they entered the living room, Sapphire’s eyebrows shot up. “You mean she’s actually going outside!? B-But I thought she was joking!”

Sunshine poked her head out from the kitchen. “Pearl’s doing what?!”

“Pearl,” Moonlight said haltingly, causing the earth pony to look up from her couch dusting. The eldest levitated the feather duster out of Pearl’s tail and placed it on the coffee table. “We need to talk.”

“’Bout what?”

“You can’t go out there. Mom forbade us. It isn’t right, it—it …you can’t do this, Pearl! You’ll get lost in the mountain! This is but a small part of it. How do you expect to find the right path, huh?”

Pearl closed her eyes and turned her nose up. “I’ll find a way.”

“And even if you do find your way out, how will you get through all the snow?” Sapphire interjected. “You’ll freeze to death!”

“That’s why I’m bringing my cloak!” Pearl chirped.

“You’ll starve,” Sunshine tried.

“I’ll take my half of the bread with me.”

“You’ll get mauled by wild animals!” Prism threw out.

“No I won’t! Mom says that there are no wild animals on the mountain.”

“…You’ll get hurt.” Everypone turned to Buttercup, who had somehow snuck her way into the conversation. “Please don’t go, Pearl…we have no idea what’s out there. It’s too dangerous!”

Pearl smiled warmly. “I’ll be fine. If mom can come back in one piece, then so can I. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
She trotted to the girl’s bedroom to retrieve her cloak. Sunshine stood stuttering. “Then…then I’m going with you!” she called, running after her.

“Yeah, me too!” Prism said.

“Wait!” Moonlight shouted, watching helplessly as her sisters went to pack. “You can’t just—this is not—"

“Catch!” Moonlight flinched when Prism tossed her a cloak as she flew by.

“Get back here!” she yelled after her. Her sisters continued to scatter, throwing on their cloaks, and stuffing the pockets with food. Moonlight shook her head in utter bewilderment. “This is preposterous,” she whispered.

“Tough muffins, Moonlight,” Sunshine said. “Now are you coming, or aren’t you?”

Moonlight swallowed. “But…we’ll get into so much trouble if…”

Prism grinned. “Baaaaawk…”

“Baaaaaawwwk Bawk Bawk!” Pearl squawked.

Moonlight flushed red. “I am not chicken! I’m being rational! You know what? Fine! I’ll go with you but only because I’m still in charge and…I’m keeping you from doing…dumb things.”

After a few more minutes of packing the girls met up in front of the boulder that had been off limits to them their entire lives. Moonlight exhaled slowly to calm her pounding heart. “Sapphire, may I have your assistance?”

Sapphire nodded, and together, they latched on to the boulder with their magic combined. Both unicorns strained as the rock jiggled.

Moonlight already felt herself getting tired.

“Come on, guys, you can do it!” Pearl said.

“One last push, Saph,” Moonlight grunted. After a little more maneuvering, the boulder finally rolled aside. Sapphire sighed in exhaustion as she and Moonlight released their hold. They were only used to moving small objects, and it took a lot out of the unicorns.

“Nice!” Prism grinned. The girls peered into the dark void before them. The temperature dropped considerably as a blast of cold air washed over the Glimmers. Sunshine squinted her eyes. “I can’t see a thing.”

Pearl stepped through the opening, and her eyes widened into the size of golf balls. “Whoa! This isn’t regular darkness…this is…advanced darkness.” Buttercup shivered, not from the cold, but out of fear. The dark terrified her.

Sapphire smiled at her. “Here, Buttercup.” Her blue aura flooded the area with light.

The girls grinned now that they were able to see each other better. “Thank you,” Buttercup sighed. One by one, the siblings stepped into through the gaping hole, skin prickling with exhilaration. They looked back at their home with a whole new perspective; It was like leaving a womb.

“Should we leave it open?” Sunshine asked.

Moonlight gave a half hearted shrug and started walking. “Might as well. If we don’t get back in time, we’re dead anyway.”

The six teenagers ventured deeper into the mountain on the single path. The feel of it was very ominous, even with Sapphire lighting the way; the wind whistled softly, and the occasional drip drip drip could be heard here and there, bouncing off the walls. Buttercup flinched at each sound. She stayed very close to Prism, who stared straight ahead with a look of determination that she’d never seen before.

The trek came to a halt when they came to four separate tunnels. Sapphire turned to the others, eyebrow raised. “Now what?”

Prism thought for a moment. “Hey, Moonlight—remember that book you used to keep?”

Sunshine’s face broke into a grin. “Oh, yeah! I forgot all about that thing!”

Moonlight still remembered the book. It was her very first, after all. “Yeah? What about it?”

“Well, was there anything in there that could help us out?”

“Are you kidding? I was five years old! How do you expect me to remember everything in that book?”

“Because you’re you! You wouldn’t forget anything from a book…especially that one. C’mon, Moonlight, at least try.”

Relenting, Moonlight lifted a hoof to her head in order to think. “Well…if mom came this way, I could be able to highlight her hoof steps.If it works.” She lowered her hoof to the ground and closed her eyes in concentration. “Mind you, I haven’t tried this in years…”

Her horn lit up, her violet aura mixing with Sapphire’s bright blue. One by one, hoof prints appeared on the floor of the cave, and trailed all the way down the second tunnel to the left.

“Cool!”

“Nice one, Moon!”

“Knew you could do it!”

Sapphire smiled at Moonlight as they continued on. “You’ll have to teach me that sometime,” she said with a wink. “When mom’s not around, of course.”

“When mom’s not around,” Moonlight agreed.

Twenty minutes out of the tunnel, another opening crawled into view, but this time, it didn’t lead to another tunnel. Moonlight squinted. “Is—is that it?”

“It is!” Pearl squealed, rushing forward. “Daylight!” When she reached the end, she gasped at the new sensation that assaulted her hooves.

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Cold!”

She stumbled backward and slammed right into Sunshine. “Ow! Hey!”

“Sorry!”

Moonlight leaned down and sniffed the snow before stepping into it. “Oooh! Brrr!”

“Wow, this stuff is cold!” Sunshine exclaimed.

“Well it is snow,” Prism said as she pawed the white substance with her hoof. “It’s really crunchy though…”

“And wet,” Sapphire said with a frown. “I would have brought boots along…if we had boots.”

“But you have to admit, it’s really beautiful,” Buttercup smiled, tracing the letter ‘B’ in the snow. “You can even write in it.”

Pearl stood with a serious expression before dunking her face in the snow and scooping up a small pile in her mouth.

“Eww!”

“Gross!”

Pearl eyed them oddly as she chewed. “Wu? Isss gud!” She swallowed and shivered in delight. “Ooh, and it even turns into water! Try it!”

Sapphire held up a hoof. “I'll pass.” She looked up and gasped. “Oh…oh my!” The others followed her wonder-filled gaze. Open skies welcomed their sights; scores of ice capped mountains ranging from tall to small, bridges of all sizes connecting the gaps in between. The view itself moved half of them to tears.

“I never knew the world was this big,” Buttercup choked, wiping her eyes.

“Yeah,” Prism whispered. “Why would mom want to keep us from all this?”

Moonlight felt a small seed of resentment form inside her stomach. “I...don’t know.” She straightened up and gave a small cough. “We’d better keep moving. I have a feeling that there’s a lot more we need to see.”

Heads bobbing in agreement, the small group started down the mountain trail, the snow growing thicker as they went on. “The air smells so crisp,” Sapphire noted. As they got farther down the mountain, the snow slowly started to recede, and the atmosphere felt a bit warmer.
They crossed a bridge with as much caution as possible; it took twice as long since Buttercup almost fainted at the height of it. Eventually, they came to a ledge that had only one path down the mountain. This time, they could see trees—real trees—in the far horizon.

Buttercup pointed a hoof out to the right. “Look over there!” If they squinted, they could see an area filled with large buildings. It looked to be a large market place.

Sapphire shook her head. “That’s much too far.”

Moonlight nodded, reestablishing her spell. “Besides, that’s where mom’s headed. Running into her is the last thing we need.”

“Well, how about there?” Prism asked, pointing farther down. A forest lay at the foot of the mountain, and a few miles from there, they could spot a large clearing filled with booths and houses. They assumed that the tiny black specks moving around were ponies.

“That’s pretty far too,” Moonlight said doubtfully.

“C’mon, we can do it! We’ve come this far, haven’t we?” Prism started on the trail with a slight skip in her step. The girls looked at each other and shrugged, following suit. By the time they reached the forest, hooves were already feeling sore, but they pressed on. The forest was an odd place. Trees towered over them, almost completely blocking the sun with their leaves. Buttercup particularly loved the smell. There were all sorts of bushes and shrubs, sticks and logs. But above all, there was dirt, and lots of it, much to Sapphire’s dismay.

The girls huddled together at the sound of squawking birds. At one time, a spider landed on Pearl’s mane, causing her to shriek loudly and run around in circles, screaming “Getitoffgetitoffgetitoooooooff!”

After five minutes of sheer panic and eventual comforting, the girls continued until they came at the very end, and a grassy area came into view. Hooves shuffled in the grass. It had also become very hot, so the girls took off their cloaks and set them beside a nearby tree. Growing hungry, Moonlight declared a break, and they each sat on the cool grass and munched on pieces of bread as they enjoyed the beautiful day.

Sunshine sighed as she lay on her stomach, letting the warm sun hit her back. “This feels so nice…”

Pearl rolled around in the grass, giggling. “I love grass!”

Prism lay on her back and let out a sound of pure contentment while stretching all four hooves out. “We should do this more often.”

Moonlight smiled upon seeing her sisters having fun. “Maybe we should. The place is just down that way. We can leave our stuff here, I think.”
Leaving their cloaks behind, the girls descended the hill and arrived at the town. The buildings and houses looked to be built out of wood. Booths were lined up everywhere and carried a large variety of food and clothing that they had never seen before. But what shocked them the most were the ponies.

Mares and stallions alike all looked completely different; they came in different shapes and sizes, different colors, young and old. Some had mustaches, others had beards. A few had really long manes that almost touched the ground, and they saw at least a few stallions that didn’t have manes at all! Some wore glasses and jewelry and shirts and hats; others wore shoes and scarves and saddlebags.

It was a definite culture shock to the young teenagers. “And they all have…c…cutie marks,” Buttercup whispered. It was true. Everypony there had a different cutie mark; they saw a dolphin, a music note, some flowers, even articles of clothing. And they all seemed to be...getting along? The girls stood in awe at what they were seeing.

The large numbers of ponies were all going in different directions, brushing past one another, talking, shouting, and laughing. A group of mares strolled by, enjoying some sort of pastry, laughing like they didn't have a care in the world. And they had different looks about them, ranging from tall and thin to short and slightly curvy. One mare even had a beauty mark under her left eye! The sight of them completely mesmerized the Glimmers. “They’re so beautiful!” Sapphire gasped.

“Why aren’t their manes tied up?” Prism asked in confusion.

“I see some girls wearing braids,” Pearl said.

Sunshine rubbed her eyes. “Everything’s so colorful! It’s starting to hurt my eyes.”

Sapphire suddenly squealed. A pegasus, around their age, came into view, wandering aimlessly amongst the chaos.

He had a cream colored coat and a dark brown scruffy mane that was partly concealed by a blue and white colored hat. He also had wide, chocolate brown eyes that curiously scanned the town. Sapphire’s heart thumped wildly in her chest, her mouth hanging open. “He…He’s the most handsome boy I’ve ever seen,” she breathed.

Prism raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t he the only boy you’ve ever seen?”

Sapphire snapped out of her stupor and threw Prism an irritated glare. “Hmph. My point still stands!”

Just then, a unicorn in a blue sweater came up to the boy. They looked to be the same age; her long blonde mane was held up by a blue scrunchy and when her mouth moved, they could see that she had matching blue braces. The unicorn tugged on the colt’s arm while jumping up and down excitedly.

“And of course he has a marefriend,” Sapphire pouted.

Moonlight rolled her eyes. “Come on. We should introduce ourselves. It's only polite." She bit her lip. "But don't be too forward! We don't want to scare them off."

“I can’t believe we’re actually going to talk to other ponies!” Pearl squealed. As they neared closer, the boy and girl suddenly took notice of them.

The girl seemed a little confused while the boy smiled in a friendly way. “Hey there!”

“H-Hi,” Moonlight said rather shyly. “Nice to meet you.”

“You guys here for the carnival?”

The Glimmers glanced at one another. “Carnival?” Prism repeated, not knowing what that was.

The boy nodded. “Yep. So are we, except we never leave,” he joked. He gestured to the unicorn beside him. “This is my twin sister, Pumpkin.”

Sapphire’s ears perked up at that. “Your…sister?” she asked with a slow smile.

Pumpkin nodded with a wry grin, her blue eyes just as wide as her brother’s. “Yeah, we know. We get that a lot. We used to get made fun of a whole lot ‘cause our parents are earth ponies, yadda yadda.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t do that,” Pearl said brightly. “In fact, our mom’s a unicorn! And there’s nothing wrong with that is there?”

The siblings shared a surprised looks. “You mean you’re all sisters?” Pumpkin asked.

“Uh-huh!”

“T-That’s so cool!” the boy exclaimed. “So are you guys sextuplets?”

“I guess so,” Moonlight said a matter a factly, casting a smile towards her sisters.

“Cool.” Then he smacked his forehead. “Ah, I almost forgot. My name’s Pound. Y’know, like pound cake.” He rolled his eyes. “Our parents were super creative on the names.”

Sunshine grinned. “Hi. I’m Sunshine, and this is Moonlight, Pearl, Prism, Sapphire, and Buttercup. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Very much so,” Sapphire said dreamily.

Pumpkin looked the girls over. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

Moonlight's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

“Well, for instance, your cutie marks. They’re all the same… I’ve never seen anything like it!”

Pound stepped back and observed them. “Yeah…how’d you get those?”

The girls glanced at their marks. “Oh, these?” Moonlight said. “We’ve had them since the day we were born.”

The twins looked dumbfounded. Pumpkin’s brow furrowed. “I wonder how that’s possible. Where are you even from?”

“Uhh small town,” Prism answered quickly. “Far off from here. But not too far.”

“So are we!” Pound smiled. “Our folks sent us here to live with our great uncle to work for his bakery business. It’s a family thing.”

“And...where is here?” Moonlight asked.

Pumpkin extended her right foreleg with a large, brace-filled grin. “This is Cranberry Grove,” she stated proudly. “One of the best tourist towns in Equestria...at least that’s what the brochure says. But how ‘bout it, newbies? Want a grand tour?”

Author's Note

To. Be. Continued. They told me i could ship anyone, so....yeah, I don't know. This was out of the blue. :rainbowlaugh: I tried not to make it weird, since Rarity's...you know. Technically they are the same age, right? :derpytongue2:

I'm sorry for the wait. Singing the college blues! (It's not that bad though). This chapter was supposed to be longer, but the chapter ended up being waaaaay too long, so I just threw up my hands and split it in half.

But, is there any inconsistencies, or are you guys good? :rainbowhuh:

Anyways, thank you and to be continued!

Chapter 6 - Like Glimmers In the Sky Part 2

Discord gazed tiredly out his window. He watched with thoughtfulness as his personal warped skies made unique patterns outside his home. No mail today, he thought. He should be enjoying his own free time since Ponyville hasn’t sent a distress parchment as of late. He was often called whenever their little town was in danger.

But then again...when is it not? Discord smirked. Ain’t that the truth. He had years to work for everypony’s trust and saving their little lives more times than anyone could count certainly seemed to fit the bill. At first he relished it. He was a hero. Every mare,stallion, filly and colt adored him. But, to his surprise, as time passed on, it grew...well, rather tiring. He had many friends, that what he strived for, but...none of them could fill that hole. That teeny tiny itsy bitsy hole in his heart that refuses to be satisfied. He had friends, sure. But none of them were like them. None of them could be….like her.

He shut his eyes for a brief moment. He reluctantly snapped his claws, conjuring up an old photograph of him...and her. He stared at her smiling face for a long time before the rage began to resurface. It bubbled up inside him like a boiling pot of water, ready to spill over. He gripped the picture frame so tightly, the glass shattered, making blood mix with the shards. He didn’t care, he didn’t even flinch. The picture crumbled in his paw and claw; tears leaked out of his eyes. A deadly snarl formed on his face, his eyes turning wild. “I swear it...whoever did this to you, Fluttershy...when I’m through with them...they’ll beg me to finish them off…”

The twins launched into educating the Glimmers in all the luxuries that Cranberry Grove had to offer. The guided them through carnival games, relays, and merchandising sales. “And this is the concert hall,” Pumpkin said cheekily as they passed a large stage with a white backdrop; ponies in uniforms were unloading all sorts of strange mechanical machines off a truck.

“What’s a concert?” Prism asked.

Pumpkin laughed. “You’re such a kidder! Anyways, over there we have…”

Pound glanced back at Buttercup who brought up the rear, her eyes drinking up every bit of her new surroundings. “Does she talk?” he whispered to Pearl.

Pearl giggled softly. “Of course. She’s just a little shy. She’s actually more open whe--”

“Look look look, there they go!” Pumpkin shouted, grinning at the sky. Pearl looked up along with the others, each gasping at what they saw. Pegasi, lots of pegasi, all ranging from ten to sixteen, flying high above their heads, quicker than a blink. They whizzed by, almost too fast for the eye, as onlookers that surrounded them cheered enthusiastically.

Prism stared after them, her mouth hung open. “Who are they?”

Pound rolled his eyes. “Competitors for the Flighter Fighters competition. Bunch of stuck-ups.”

“I...I’ve never seen anypony fly so high...and so fast!”

Pound gave Prism an odd smile. “It’s not that high! ‘Sides, they kinda have to fly that fast if they wanna win!”

Prism kept her eyes on the sky, her expression shifting slightly.”Pfft. Winning is a sign of egotism. Where we’re from, our flight speed limit is not more than two miles every three minutes.”

“And we don’t fly higher than six feet off the ground,” Buttercup added quietly.

“What? That sounds ridiculous!” Pound said with a snort. “How can you expect a pegasus to be happy if we can’t go as high and as fast as we want?” He flapped his wings twice and zoomed circles around the girls.

Dust rose from the ground, making them cough. “P-Pound!” Pumpkin choked. “Q-Quit it!”

Pound slowed down and stopped mid circle, grinning at them. “That’s how a true pegasus should fly.”

Prism frowned. “You don’t think you’re bragging a just a little?”

“It’s not bragging if it’s true,” Pound said smugly as he landed back on the ground. “C’mon, we’ll show you where the food is.”

As they continued on, the girl’s eyes glued to everything and everypony they past, drinking it all in. They came to an area that had food stands lined up in a row. “What’s an ‘Ice Cream’ ?” Sunshine asked. “Are they selling Ice Cubes or something?”

The twins stopped short and whiled around on her. “A...Are you saying you’ve never heard of ice cream?” Pumpkin said incredulously.

“W-What about candy? You guys have to have had candy before, right?” Pound asked. The girls glanced at each other and shrugged. Pound and Pumpkin were beyond baffled.

“Hey, what’s that?” Pearl inquired, walking up to a stand that had different colored muffins under glass.

“Oh, those? Well, those are called cupcakes,” Pound replied, walking up beside her.

“Those don’t look like cups to me .”

“No, as in mini cakes.”

“....”.

“Here. we’ll just buy you guys one. You’ll see.”

“Our treat!” Pumpkin grinned.

After Pound and Pumpkin ordered cupcakes for each of them, the Glimmer's eyed the pasties with hesitation. Pearl looked at her sisters and smiled, taking a bite. As Pearl chewed, her eyes grew bigger and brighter. “Oh...oh wow. WOW!” She pushed the rest of cupcake into her mouth and bounced on her hooves with newfound energy. “Ermehush, isshso gud!” Seeing how much their sibling enjoyed the mystery food, the rest of the Glimmers each took small bites. Collectives gasps surrounded the Cake twins as the icing flavors worked over their tongues.

“This is...amazing!” Buttercup breathed, getting chocolate smeared on her cheek. “What do you put in it?”

Pound shrugged. “You just pour the batter in the tray and pop it in the oven. Then you put on the icing.”

Prism licked the strawberry icing in a circular motion. “Mmmm. Why can’t mom make these?”

Moonlight, however, frowned at her cupcake as she held it up to her eye level with her magic. “Thanks, but...I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Why not?” Pumpkin asked, munching on her own cupcake. “It’s vanilla! With sprinkles!”

Moonlight glanced at her with doubting eyes. “There’s a reason why mother never served outside food. It’s a sign of self-indulgence--not to mention how much sugar might be packed into these!”

“The more sugar the better then!” Pearl giggled, bouncing in place. “I love cupcakes!”

“And I highly doubt a little sugar will affect our figures, Moonlight,” Sapphire assured, running a hoof across her lips to make sure there weren’t any remaining crumbs.

“Our figures aren’t what I’m worried about,” Moonlight said irritably.

“Moonlight.” Prism deadpanned. “We snuck out from behind mom’s back and traveled all the way here while she’s still thinking we’re going over Equality flash cards. I think eating a small cupcake won’t make much of a difference.”

Moonlight’s posture visibly sagged at the reminder of their act of deception. She closed her eyes and shook her head. This isn’t right. “I’m sorry. Thank you for the gifts, but I can’t accept them. I just... can’t.”

Pearl leapt forward and gulped down the cupcake, disabling her sister’s violet aura. “I sure can!” she declared, licking her lips. “Mmm-mmm!” Moonlight merely growled at her sister, almost not noticing when Pound placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“Hey, it’s okay. We wouldn’t want to make you do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I can already tell that it’s a complete culture shock for you guys.” He glanced back at his sister. “Maybe we should slow things down a little?”

Pumpkin nodded. “Of course! I bet your minds are blown, huh? We oughta take it down a notch though--we wouldn’t want you to have an aneurysm, would we?” She playfully jabbed Moonlight in her side. “Hey, I know what would be super amazing--but it’s super calm, I swear! We can watch Misty Lakes sing tonight! Wouldn’t that be cool?”

“Who’s she?” Sapphire asked.

Pumpkin stomped a hoof in the ground and blew a raspberry. “Stars and Moonbeams, you must have been living under a boulder or something! She’s a famous singer--she's the daughter of another celebrity...uhh, Sapphire something. She's so cool.”

“And easy on the eyes,” Pound added with a smile. “She goes on after the singing competition’s over--which is in six minutes! What do you say, ladies? Up for it?”

The girls looked at Moonlight, who sighed. "One song."

Pound and Pumpkin led the Glimmers into the back row of the audience just as the last singing contestant was stepping off the sage. The stadium was outdoors on a field of grass; the sun began to descend in the sky, making Moonlight tense up. Hoof Stomps accompanied a single pony as he took the stage and adjusted the microphone in front of him. “Alright, mares and gentlecolts!” he boomed, causing the Glimmers to recoil slightly. They had never heard a voice so deep and loud before.

“What got ahold to his throat?” Sunshine whispered to Prism, who snickered.

“You’ve all been waiting, and here she is! Everypony give it up for the lovely….the timeless...the incomparable...Misty Lakes!”

Wild cheers rose up from the crowd as a pretty mare took the stage with a smile; she was wearing a shimmering blue dress with a rhinestone dolphin sewed to the front. She had long cascading blue hair that flowed past her midsection. “How y’all doin’ tonight?” Her voice was as smooth as butter as she spoke into the microphone. Some fans screamed in adoration. The mare smiled. “It’s good to be here with y’all tonight! This song is about commitment...loss….and love.”

With that, the music started playing a simple tune. Misty Glaze swayed slightly and harmonized softly, sending chills up the girls’ spines.

You mean the world, Oooh and everything that I want for

Since I’ve been your girl, Oh my whole life has been much better than ever before

You got a tender sweet love, yes you do

That wakens me and takes over me whenever we touch

The mare closed her eyes and smiled to herself as sang the chorus.

Baby, that’s just why I love you so much

Baby, that’s just why I can’t get enough!

Baby, that’s just why I love you so much, I love only you…

Sapphire quickly rose from her seat and headed for some bushes. “Saph?” Sunshine called over her shoulder.

Moonlight stood up and began to follow her. “I got her.”

The unicorn trotted after her sister and caught up to her before she could go any further. “Sapphire!” She cut in front of her and pushed a hoof against her chest. “What’s wrong?” The white unicorn lifted her gaze, and Moonlight could see unshed tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice took on a softer tone. “Hey, what is it?”

Sapphire let out a choked sob. “I...I’ve never heard anypony sing with...with such feeling and passion. Ever. We’ve only known one song in our entire lives...I believe in our principles with all my heart, but…” she turned to look at the mare on the stage. “The way she sings about the one she loves…” She faced Moonlight with longing in her eyes. “I want that, Moonlight. I want to feel love.”

Moonlight hesitated as she mulled over her words in her mind. “But...you have all the love you need from us...and mom.”

Sapphire silently glanced at Pound before lowering her gaze. “Not that kind of love, Moonlight.”

Before Moonlight could say anything, Pearl popped up between them, making them cry out in alarm. “Is everything okay?” she asked innocently.

“We’re fine,” Moonlight said flatly with the roll of her eyes. Then her eyes froze on the sinking sun. “...Oh no…” She looked around frantically. “Quick! Someony! What time is it?” Her sisters looked at her dumbly. Groaning in exasperation, she raced over to Pound Cake and tapped his shoulder. “Pound, do you have the time? Please, it’s important!”

Pound held up his watch. “4:09.”

Half the girls held back a scream. Their mother would be returning at 5:30. They had a little more than an hour, maybe even less, and the trip here took two. “We need to go!” Moonlight squealed, pushing Buttercup out of her seat. “Now!”

“Aww, so soon?” Pumpkin asked sadly.

“It’s important,” Sunshine said hurriedly, charging after Moonlight and Buttercup. “Too important! Bye!”

Pearl stopped briefly and gave Pumpkin a quick hug. “Thanks for everything!” she pulled away and waved as she trotted after the others. “You’re the most wonderful ponies we’ve ever met! The only ones, but still!”

Pound moved forward before Sapphire could leave. “Wait!...will I, uh...ever see you again?” His brown eyes were filled with hope...and something else.

Sapphire managed a smile and hugged him so he wouldn’t see her lower lip trembling. “I….” She broke the hug and wiped her eye. “I have to go!” She turned and galloped through the town.

The twins stood together and watched all six girls disappear behind a cluster of booths.

“They’re so weird,” Pumpkin said. She turned to her brother with a grin. “I like them!”

The Glimmers weaved through the crowd of ponies, running faster than they ever had before. Their legs and calves burned with intensity. “I..never knew...running could be so...exhausting!” Moonlight puffed.

“Well too bad, ‘cause we’re gonna have to run all the way there to make it in time!” Sunshine panted. “Who in the hay was in in charge of time check?!”

Buttercup shrieked as she bumped into a stallion before continuing on. “Sorrysorrysorrysorry!”

They finally emerged from the town, not one pony bothering to look back. They jogged up the hill with the tree to fetch their belongings.

“C’mon, keep moving!” Prism urged, throwing her cloak across her back. The young teenagers plunged into the forest, leaves and branches scraping their faces and coats as they charged through.

Sapphire cried out as she tripped on a rock and scraped her knee. “Oooh…” Sunshine came up behind her and nudged the unicorn into standing position.

“C’mon Sapphire, move it! We’ll look at it when we get back!”

Suddenly, Prism heard something snap and skidded to a halt. “Hey, hold up! Stop! Everypony, stop!”

Everyone halted in their tracks, panting heavily as they regarded Prism with confused and exhausted expressions. Moonlight whirled around and looked at her sister as if she grew a horn. “STOP?! What do you mean STOP? Are you crazy!? We can’t just--"

“Shut up!” Prism hissed. “Listen!”

A silence fell over the Glimmers. The only sound that existed was shaky breathing and the occasional loud swallowing. Moonlight looked at Prism and shook her head in confusion. “I don’t hear any--"

Pearl shrieked as a large figure emerged from the trees. Moonlight gasped while her sisters screamed in alarm and terror.

“What is that thing?!” Sunshine yelped as they stumbled backwards. The rocks and bushes behind them caused the teenagers to spread out unconsciously.

Sapphire drew in a sharp breath as she stared into the creature’s eyes. “I think it’s a...tiger!”

Groans of fear emanated from their mouths as the tiger came closer with a low growl.

“M-Moonlight…” Prism whispered. "...what do we--"

Without warning, the Tiger sprang forward on Buttercup with an open mouth. Blood curdling screams cut through the air as blood splattered the ground.

Author's Note

What's this??? An UPDATE!? GREAT SCOTT! That's right, in honor of Back to the Future Day, I have posted a chapter! Did you see any strangely dressed teenage boys roaming around? :rainbowlaugh:

This is the song I used in the chapter, don't own it!

I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but it will have to be on account of...well, you know. This is where Daughters of Glimmer gets dark. So...brace yourselves. Edit: This is as much gore you will ever see in this story, no worries :twilightsmile:

Chapter 7 - Goodnight

"Shining...please...l know it's painful..." The mare drew in a pain-filled breath. "But you have to let her go!"

"I don't believe it for one second," Shining replied coldly, strapping on his helmet. "Neither does Luna, or the others."

Cadence's eyes bloomed with unshed tears. "Our child needs her father!"

Shining tightened his straps and crossed to the door without looking back. "And my sister needs her brother."

Buttercup collapsed to the ground and trembled in agony. A fierce stinging sensation entrapped her entire left wing in horrible pain, a pain she had never experienced before. Prism, Sunshine and Moonlight leapt onto the beast, screaming and punching at the tiger that bit their sister. The large animal roared terribly in their ears and thrashed about, claws swiping in the night.

Sapphire shrieked and dropped to the ground beside Buttercup and leaned over her. Her shaky hooves caressed her tear streaked face, afraid she might hurt her sister further. “You’re okay!...You’re okay, you’re okay you’re okay!”

Buttercup only wailed in response.

Behind them came a sharp yelp of pain, but Sapphire was too distraught to even register who it was. A mix of bloodied and anguished cries mixed with the soft chirping of birds flying into the disappearing sun. Sapphire only stared at the mix of red and yellow on the ground in front of her. “It...hurts,” Buttercup sobbed between gasps.

Sapphire snapped back into reality at her sister’s weak voice. Suddenly she looked up. “P-Pearl?” She cleared her throat roughly. “Pearl!” She awkwardly got to her hooves and shuffled on the grass with dirt staining her knees. The Tiger was nowhere to be seen, nor were her other sisters, but it was all but silent.

She could hear loud growls and frightened shouts coming from the deeper parts of the woods. “P-Prism! Moonlight! Sunny!...Please…” She hiccupped and let out a small sob as tears stained her cheeks. She felt paralyzed. “Help us, somepony!”

“Saph…”

Sapphire flinched and turned around to see Pearl standing beside her. Her normally bright blue eyes seemed dull and grey under the fresh moonlight. She stared at Buttercup as if millions of roaches sprouted from the ground. Sapphire wasted no time. She pushed her towards Buttercup, away from the chaos. “I need you to take Buttercup and get home!”

Pearl’s mouth opened and closed. “Take her home? B-But where are you going?”

“They need help! Just get her out of here!”

“All by myself? What about you? I can’t just leave--I can’t! I…we need mom!”

“Mom isn't here!” Sapphire screamed bitterly. Pearl staggered back and grimaced. “GO! NOW!” Sapphire turned away from her and ran into the trees, only to see the face of a tiger glaring back at her. Sapphire blasted it between the eyes before it pounced.

The tiger yowled as Prism dashed out from behind the beast and roughly pushed Sapphire from out of the tiger’s reach. Sapphire grunted as the back of her head hit the ground. Her blue eyes flashed with irritation before softening. Prism’s right eyebrow had a gash underneath it, painting almost half of her face dark red.

“Prism!” she cried out.

The Tiger lunged forward with glassy eyes and swiped its claws at them at a frightening quickness. Prism gripped Sapphire tightly and Sapphire buried her face into her sister’s chest. But somehow, the pain never came.

Both girls looked up and saw the creature being dragged backwards as it furiously dragged it’s claws into the ground. “What?” Prism choked out with a gasp.

“Keep hold of it, Sunshine!” they heard Moonlight yell.

“No way!” Prism shouted. She hopped over Sapphire and flew a head above the Tiger, disappearing behind it. “No bucking way!” Sapphire got to her hooves and cautiously stepped forward as the beast slid further back. Moonlight came out from behind a tree, her horn glowing. She glanced back, her lips curled into a worried frown. Her mane had come undone and fell unkempt over her eyes and shoulders. A deep scratch covered her left shoulder. Other than that, she looked like she had no serious injuries.

“Moonlight--”

“Pick up that stick, Sapphire,” Moonlight said calmly. It was extremely unsettling. However, Sapphire did as she was told and levitated a long stick off the ground. She joined her older sister, who had a stick of her own. They followed as the beast slid further away. Following Moonlight’s lead, the unicorns violently poked the tiger in the face, causing it to yowl. The constant pain caused it to stop trying to pull forward.

Eventually, Moonlight yelled “Let go!” After a moment's, hesitation, Sunshine and Prism leapt out from behind the tiger. Before the animal could react, Moonlight had dropped her stick and blasted the creature directly into its left eye. The tiger howled in pain, but Moonlight didn’t even flinch. Her purple aura lit up the night and illuminated her scowling face. “Hear me, creature! You can attack me, scar me, rip me to pieces, I don’t care! But if you ever, ever come near my family again...I’ll kill you.”

The tiger snarled and crept backward.

“GO!”

The harsh forcefulness of Moonlight’s voice was the final punch. The tiger limped away, still growling, vanishing into the night. Heavy panting filled the air as Prism and Sunshine slowly stumbled forward. Sapphire held back a gasp at the sight of Sunshine. The corner of her lower lip was dripping with blood and scratches and blisters covered her legs. Her mane and tail was in tangled knots and her right eye remained closed. Moonlight dashed forward and held up Sunshine’s chin with a hoof.

“I’m fine,” Sunshine huffed.

“No you’re not,” Moonlight murmured. She turned to the others. “Where’s Buttercup?”

“I told Pearl to take her back home,” Sapphire whispered.

Moonlight hesitated. “....And?”

Sapphire looked away.

“Why are we standing around here?” Prism said angrily as she pushed past a bush. “That monster could come back at any second and Buttercup could be dead for all we know!”

Moonlight glanced over her shoulder in apparent fear and gently nudged Sunshine forward with Sapphire bringing up the rear. The four staggered through the woods, scraping their knees and shoulders on the sharp thorns from the bushes they brushed past.

Sapphire did her best to hurry her injured sisters along, but knowing Sunshine’s condition, they made an effort to go at a reasonable pace. This didn’t sit well with Sunshine. “Why are we slowing down?” she demanded. “I said I’m fine!” She misstepped and fell to the ground, barely holding back a hiss of pain. Sunshine tried and failed to resist as Prism and Moonlight helped her back up. “I can…. walk by myself,” she gasped.

“Quiet, doofus,” Prism muttered softly. She supported Sunshine’s back with her wing while Moonlight took the lead and cleared away branches and rocks from the dirt path.

Sunshine’s eyes narrowed, but she said nothing as they continued on. As the moon rose higher into the sky, they knew they were too late. Any minute now, their mother would return and find the stone removed from the opening and her six daughters gone. But Sapphire couldn’t care less about the punishment they might receive or the screaming fits she might throw. She just wanted her sisters to be safe, away from the dangers of this world.

After a while, Prism spotted the path leading up to their mountain. Drops of blood dotted the trail. Thinking the worst, they picked up the pace as they made their way up, staying as close to the firm surface as possible. It wasn’t long before the girls saw movement higher up the mountain. It was Pearl, trudging up the mountain with….

Moonlight’s knees buckled and Sapphire pushed past them, screaming Buttercup’ name.

Starlight happily made her way through the caves with a saddle bag filled with groceries. She had gathered as many vegetables as she could find in order to make a delicious soup. It was the girls’ favorite. This time, she had found a different variety of ingredients as a surprise. And it should hopefully quench their thirst for the outside world, she thought.

But as she neared her home, she noticed a strange light emanating from the opening. Starlight gasped and ran towards the light with fear gripping her heart. The boulder...it’s gone! Why is it gone!? Starlight halted at the entrance, her breathing growing shaky. “Girls?”

She stepped inside and searched about frantically. The living room and kitchen were empty.

Starlight’s saddlebag dropped to the floor. “Moonlight! Buttercup?”

No one answered.

A thought entered her mind. Maybe they’re in their room? She raced down the hall, feeling her sins crawling up her back. “Pearl? Prism? Are you two pulling a prank on me?”

She flung open the girl’s bedroom door. “Sapphire! Sunshine!”

Empty.

Starlight retracted backwards, her heartbeat increasing. “Where are you?!” she shouted. Silence slapped her in the face like a wet rag. Starlight stood still; deep down, she knew full well where her daughters went. She just couldn’t believe it.

They...ran away… Her eyes widened. Troubling thoughts ran through her mind. If...if they left after I did...who knows how far they must be now! Oh, what have I done? I held them too close...kept them away for too long. Stars and Moonbeams, what was I thinking!? They’re teenagers for Celestia’s sake! They’d never stay put when I tell them! Not anymore... My God! What if they reach Ponyville….

The pink unicorn started to hyperventilate.

They’ll find out who they really are...their families.... they’ll have me hanged before the Princesses can even get to me...and...and even wrath from Celestia is a better fate than what Discord has in mind for me….

…..

And my daughters would be right behind him.

Starlight wiped her tears away from her eyes and leapt into action, running into the kitchen and emptying her saddlebag. She quickly replaced vegetables with a knife and her special spell book from her closet.

With a determined scowl, she galloped into the caves with a fire in her eyes. She was going to get her daughter's back, no matter who she had to hurt to do it. “They know nothing about the outside world,” Starlight murmured. “Foolish fillies! How do they expect to survive out there on their own! They have no experience! None!”

She exited the opening, the harsh wind snapping back her ponytail. The unicorn sprinted down the mountain without hesitation, minding the slippery edges. She looked up and eyed the bridge that ultimately lead to two nearby towns. She bit her lip as she mulled over which way they had gone when she heard a surprised cry from below.

“MOM!”

Starlight gasped and peered down through the blistering winds and saw six little ponies huddled together, bloodied and bruised. Those were her ponies. Something strange awakened in Starlight’s soul. A feeling, an emotion she had never felt before. “My babies!” The words flew out of her mouth before she could even think.

She scampered towards them and Pearl and Sapphire threw themselves into her arms. “My goodness!” she rasped in between kisses. She pulled back to get a better look at their tear streaked faces. “What happened? Are you hurt!?”

Pearl shook her head while Sapphire blubbered unintelligibly.

“What!?”

“Mom--” Starlight’s stomach churned when her eyes fell on her other daughters--and one in particular. Starlight was there in a heartbeat and lifted Buttercup from Moonlight’s back. She stared at Buttercup numbly as she held her in her arms. After whispering her name over and over, Starlight used her magic to put Buttercup onto her back and turned to the others, her blue eyes blazing with pure unadulterated rage.

“Who did this!?” she screamed. “Who did this to you!?”

“A...tiger…” Sunshine said weakly.

Starlight’s horn glowed dangerously. “WHERE! I’LL RIP IT’S TEETH RIGHT OUT OF ITS SKULL!”

“No, Mommy, please!” Prism squeaked, gripping her fore leg. Starlight shifted her surprised gaze over the panicked pegasus. She hadn’t been called ‘Mommy’ in years, least of all by Prism. “It’s gone! We took care of it! Just...please...Buttercup….”

Starlight stopped herself before she could go any further. After a moment's pause, she conjured up a new spell. “Hold on to me, girls.”

The five teenagers clung to their mother. The next thing they knew, they were back in the safety of their home. As the girls looked around in awe, Starlight rushed into her room with Buttercup in tow. She came back out and levitated a first aid kit over to Sapphire. “Take care of their wounds,” she ordered.

“Wha-Is Buttercup going to be okay?” Sapphire called out.

Starlight turned in the doorway, her expression grim. “I honestly don’t know.” With that, she closed the door behind her, leaving the others in silence.

Sapphire turned to Pearl. “Well...let’s get them bandaged up.”

Prism hissed sharply as Pearl cleaned her cut with peroxide. “I know,” she said gently.

“That tiger’s lucky that mom didn’t get to him,” Sunshine grumbled, covered head to hoof in white bandages.

Just as the words left her mouth, Starlight slowly entered their bedroom. The unicorn had dark circles under her eyes, her mane unkempt. The young ponies looked up at their mother’s solemn expression and felt their mouths dry.

Moonlight slowly rose from her haunches. “Mom?” She swallowed hard. “...Is...I-Is she…”

Starlight sighed deeply and shook her head. “No. She’s alive.”

Collective sighs filled the room.

“But I’m afraid I have bad news.”

Eyes turned up to her in curiosity and fear. Starlight hesitated. “Buttercup’s wing has been severely damaged. It’s still attached but...it’s…. useless now. It suffered too much. She’s never going to fly again.”

Sunshine buried her face in her hooves while Sapphire and Pearl started to wail. Moonlight simply stared off into space. Prism’s vision blurred before she furiously wiped her eyes. “No!”

Starlight watched Prism stand up, her features etched with internal agony. “No...she was just starting to learn...I could've...now she’ll never…” Her breath hitched and she turned to Starlight, her eyes burning with resolve. “The only way she’ll be happy again is if us pegasi are both equal. In every way.”

Sunshine lifted her head from her hooves, her voice raspy. “What are you saying, Prism?”

“...If Buttercup can’t fly, then I won’t fly either.”

Starlight’s eyebrows shot up and the others gasped in shock.

“But you love to fly!” Pearl exclaimed.

Prism shook her head. “How can I enjoy flying when Buttercup is handicapped? No. I’m grounding myself. Permanently.” She gave a weak smile. “It’ll even us out anyway.”

“You’d...be willing to sacrifice your wings for your sister?” Starlight inquired incredulously. Knowing Prism from her past life, the mere thought of it was unfathomable to Starlight.

“I’m sorry mom...I know pegasi are meant to fly...but now, at least me and Buttercup will have the same handicap. I’d never take off again without her. Ever.”

Her sisters sat in silence while a small smile graced Starlight’s face. “Your heart is pure, Prism.”

As Starlight left the room, Pearl shook her head in dismay. “This is just awful.”

“We still have some explaining to do as soon as Buttercup wakes up,” Sunshine winced.

Prism wrapped her hooves around her body. “After what happened tonight...I never want to go back into the forest for as long as I live.”

“Good.” The others looked up when Moonlight spoke for the first time. “Because we’re never going back again. Better yet, we’re not going back outside of this house again.”

Sapphire gave a sad look before looking down. “Never?”

“Don’t you see!? A world with cutie marks is a world I don’t want to live in!” Moonlight snapped. “A world of cutie marks is full of danger and malice! Did you get a look of those ponies we saw today? Did you really? Just who do they think they are, flaunting their marks and talents like they were in a parade! And that coltfriend of yours--” She jabbed Sapphire in the chest. “Showing off and bragging his mouth off about how much faster he is than anypony else!”

“That... was pretty conceited,” Sunshine admitted.

“Well...maybe...But...he’s a nice pony! Him and his sister!” Sapphire said.

“And they showed us wonderful things, yeah. But...I think it’s all a little... too much,” Pearl said reluctantly. “They aren’t mean ponies. They’re just misguided.”

Moonlight stood up, her face hard as stone. “Maybe they’ll learn, maybe they won’t. But I’m not letting my little sisters be exposed to that again. The competitiveness, the lifestyle, the hideous creatures...no. Like I said before, we have everything we could possibly need right here. Nopony is leaving this mountain again.”

Outside the doorway, a smile snaked it’s way across Starlight’s face as she strolled away. “My little Moonlight is growing up...She’s ready.”

Author's Note

Is it too late now to say sorry? :rainbowlaugh: Oh boy. But seriously, sorry guys. Finals were not kind to me. Been working on this chapter all month. Such a hiatus won't happen again, at least I really do hope so.

Next chapter's called "Starlight's Vendetta". I don't know when that will be but it will be soon, scout's honor. :pinkiehappy:

Chapter 8 - Starlight's Vendetta

"Why aren't you a Wonderbolt?"

Scootaloo looked at Rumble, her eyebrows raised. "What makes you say that?"

Rumble shrugged. "You're the fastest one here, faster than Featherweight even. Didn't you say once you learned how to fly, you'd make something of it? Make Rainbow Dash proud?"

The purple maned pegasus sighed at the mention of her idol. "My purpose is to help others find their cutie marks. Not become military."

"So? That shouldn't stop you from applying. It's what you always wanted...right?"

Scootaloo laughed ruefully. "Rumble, why would I try to be what she never became?"

Prism came up to Buttercup’s bed. “Hey,” she whispered after a moment’s pause. Buttercup continued to stare up at the ceiling, her hooves folded across her stomach.

“Still not talking, huh?” Prism shifted awkwardly and brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. “Well. Can’t blame you. Again...I’m really sorry this happened, Buttercup. We care about you a whole lot. Mom isn’t punishing you...if that helps. You should be back on your hooves in a few days.”

Prism nodded when she didn’t get a response. “We’re just glad you’re...still here.” She rubbed her foreleg and cleared her throat. She wasn’t good at this. At all. The blue pegasus stole a brief glance at the doorway. “Wanna talk about it?”

There was a long silence before Buttercup replied with a dry “No.”

Prism’s heart skipped and her ears drooped. “Okay. Do you want to be alone?”

“...No.”

Buttercup made room as Pism climbed into bed next to her. They held each other the rest of the day.

“You wanted to see me, mother?” Moonlight asked apprehensively, stepping into her mother’s study.

Starlight looked up from her desk and smiled. “Yes. Sit down, dear.”

The young pony lowered her gaze. “It’s about yesterday, isn’t it?”

“You're troubled. And understandably so,” Starlight replied as Moonlight sat across from her mother. “Due to the circumstances, I’m willing to forgive you and your sisters. I’m just..relieved that you’re alive.

“There will be a punishment of course. But...believe me when I say, my Moonlight--” She reached across the desk and clasped Moonlight’s hooves, giving her daughter a sweet smile. “I understand.”

Moonlight looked up questioningly. “You...do?”

Starlight chuckled lightly. “Believe it or not, I was a teenager once too, you know. I know what it’s like to not have my parents understand me. Cutie marks effect everypony, Moonlight.” Her eyes suddenly took on a new pain that Moonlight had never seen before. “Everypony. Especially the ones closest to us. But I see something in you, Moonlight. Something I haven’t seen in a long time.”

“...Like...like what?”

Starlight released her hooves before she leaned back and dug around for something in the desk drawer. “Before I go into anything else, I believe you're going to need these.”

In her hoof, she held out two small round objects, causing Moonlight to blush. “How’d you know?” she murmured as her mother slid them across the table.

“I know how you walk without them,” Starlight said. “Lost yours during the fight, did you?”

Moonlight said nothing as she carefully placed the small lenses into her eyes. Starlight nodded curtly when her daughter blinked a few times. “You’ve grown, Moonlight. In more ways that I could ever hope to imagine. I’d be a fool if I didn’t call attention to it.” She smiled gently. “I know our relationship isn’t perfect. Nothing is, really. But we can always try to make it better.”

The older unicorn slid off her seat and walked over to a picture frame of an equal sign on the wall, her back turned. Her eyes locked onto the mark and sighed, quite tiredly. “I won’t always be here, Moonlight. You...know that, don’t you?”

A heavy silence hung in the air.

“You’re not the only one who’s growing older,” Starlight went on. “And I want to do more with what I have before I grow old and frail. I want to help those who have yet to see the truth about cutie marks. I don’t want to see that truth buried with me when my time comes along.”

Starlight finally turned around to face Moonlight and instantly found herself staring into her eyes. Those wide, doe-like eyes gazing at her in adoration with a hint of confusion and concern. Still innocent, still a little girl in many ways. Still the foal she sang to when she cried and cared for when she fell ill.

Still my foal.

There it was again, the odd sensation that tugged at her heart when she had found her daughters shivering on the mountain trail two days ago. She had called them her babies. Her mouth twisted into a confused frown.

Starlight had always told the girls that she loved them. It was easy to say, easy to act on. She fed them, she bathed them, combed their hair. Gave them the name ‘Glimmer’, claimed them as hers. But that love had never reached her. A seed in her chest that never blossomed. Love was more of a duty than anything else. She had an agenda to complete after all. If anything...

Starlight licked her dry lips, her mind spiraling. Could I really love Twilight Sparkle? And the rest of her friends? I mean...I knew I would have SOME sort of affection for them when I first started out, but...I didn’t think it would…

“Mom, are you alright?”

Starlight snapped back into reality, realizing that she had been staring off into space for far too long. All the more reason why my plan will WORK.

She shook her head slightly and smiled apologetically before slowly sauntering across the room. “You and I are more alike than you realize.” She stopped behind her with a smirk. “Why do you think I left those books for you under the rug?”

Moonlight’s jaw dropped and she whirled around in her chair. It took everything in Starlight’s power from laughing at Moonlight’s shocked expression. “Wha...why...it...you knew!?” Moonlight’s hoof instantly flew to her mouth, but it was far too late.

Starlight resumed her walking with a certain spring in her step. “Of course. Did you really think I wouldn’t know if one of my important belongings were missing from it’s place? But yes, those were all for you to explore, Moonlight. I wanted to see what you girls would do if you ever discovered my treasure of books.

“I was surprised when I learned only one book was taken. I thought your curiosity would be greater than that...however, I did run a tight ship when you were younger. But you girls kept the book a secret for a whole year. Your spelling improved greatly.” She tilted her head to the side in thought. “I’m not sure if I should be proud or disappointed.”

Moonlight’s mouth opened and closed, struggling to find the right words. “I-I…”

“Now, Moonlight, none of that now. I am proud. I did this to help prepare you. Something is coming, Moonlight. Nothing will ever be the same, and I want you all by my side when it comes to pass. Your sisters will play their parts as well, but what you will be doing will help change everything.”

Moonlight raised an eyebrow and turned back around in her chair as her mother sat back down again. “Prepare me... for what mom?”

Starlight’s eyes twinkled. “Moonlight, what if I told you that we can make a difference in Equestria?”

One Month Later...

“Today is a special day, my starlings,” Starlight announced in front of the class. “You're growing more each and everyday, which means it’s time to move on to the next stage.”

Sunshine’s brow furrowed. “You mean there’s more?”

“I wanted to wait until you were older,” Starlight explained. “What you experienced down the mountain is but the tip of the iceberg.”

Buttercup winced slightly and glanced back at her damaged wing. “In the last nine years I have taught you, you learned about the lifestyle of equality and the torment of cutie marks. You have all exceeded my expectations. You all know what it truly means to be Equal, and for that I’m so very proud.”

Pearl couldn’t help but grin at this, but the rest of her sisters waited in silent anticipation, knowing that there was more to come. “In the next few years, you will be deep training.”

Prism’s ears perked up while Sapphire frowned. Starlight smirked. “Not that kind of training. At least in the first run. This year, I will train your mind. And your deep abilities. A true Equalist can never prosper without a firm grasp on reality. I will help you with that.”

With the exception of Moonlight, the Glimmers regarded each other in excitement. This was truly an honor for them.

Buttercup raised her hoof. “But...what exactly are we training for?”

“Well, Buttercup…” Starlight smiled, glancing at Moonlight. The oldest Glimmer nodded, eyes burning with purpose. “I’m glad you asked.”

She stood by a portrait covered by a sheet. “This world full of cutie marks has a ruler. Two in fact. But the eldest is the one who puts everypony beneath her. She makes every mare stallion and foal bow down to her...forces them to serve her...and she sent her own flesh and blood into a thousand years of captivity.”

After surveying their horrified faces, Starlight took away the sheet, revealing a terrifying creature with wings and a horn. The large monster snarled as it blasted a smaller darker version of herself to the moon; its eyes blazed like hot balls of fire, as if they originated from the pits of Tartarus itself.

“First thing's first. Girls, it’s time you learn about Princess Celestia.”

Author's Note

This chapter is quite short and difficult to write, but it's meant to be that way :derpytongue2: I hope t's alright :fluttercry: Just to clarify, Moonlight knows all about what Starlight is planning to do and is behind it 100%. This is where the story will really transition from here.

Like Starlight said, nothing will ever be the same again. With that said, I'm wondering if I should change the rating from Everyone to Teen, with all that's happened and what's probably going to happen.

That's up to you guys though. I hope everyone will be alive by the end of this. Lol jk :twilightsmile: ~~Maybe~~ Merry Christmas!

Chapter 9 - Road Most Traveled

The moon and sun glowed softly as seven shadows floated across the deep violet sky. The shadows came to a stop when a foreign soul slowly approached them, the wind whistling sweet music in the air.

As the stranger came to a stop, the lead shadow with leaned back and forth slightly. A star, a young star, came forward. When the stranger came closer to greet the star, a lethal burst of power burst out of the star and the foreign soul was immediately eradicated into dust. “Well done, my child,” a voice whispered. “Well done.”

Discord opened his eyes, his fur matted with sweat. His shaky breath slowed down as he replayed this scenario in his mind over and over. “That..can’t be right,” he wheezed. He flapped out of his ceiling bed and flipped himself over, gazing at the moon. The Draconequus turned his head to gaze at a very old picture of him and six young mares he once knew. “That can’t be right!” he repeated. With every breath, he could feel their souls moving inside of him. Breathing...wriggling...panicking.

Starlight stepped onto the fresh snow and breathed in the crisp clean air. Today was a very special day. The day she had been waiting for since that fateful stormy night. With a cloak secured around her body and saddle bags strapped onto her back, she smiled to herself before turning to look over her shoulder. “Come along, ladies.”

One by one, her daughters trotted out of the cave entrance with a new air of confidence with just a little bit of apprehensiveness. Looking more closely at her family, Starlight noticed that they looked more like their old selves more than ever, despite their Equalized look. It had been five years since their first “Adventure” outside the mountain. The girls were now eighteen--official mares. Something about that clenched at Starlight’s heart.

Then it hit her. She did it. All of the late nights of crying, diaper changing, feeding, teaching, training...I’ve done it all, Starlight realized. All those years… are finally starting to pay off! She chuckled inwardly. Nothing’s impossible when you really want something. And now I’M going to get it! But I musn’t celebrate just yet. We have a lot more work to do. Despite this, they have the golden opportunity to make the world not as it is, but what it could be. What WILL be.

“My starlings,” Starlight said proudly, gazing at all six girls. “Today is the day your new lives begin. I want to congratulate you all, for not just understanding Equality...but for mastering the training I have put you through to take Equality to new heights.” Starlight paused and touched a hoof to her face, finding it wet. Moonlight came forward and hugged her mother, her own face glistening with tears.

“Thank you, mother,” she whispered. “Without you, I...I don’t know where we would be.” The others crowded around them in a warm group hug. Starlight smiled, feeling their hearts beating through her fur, melting into her body.

“This is so exciting,” Pearl breathed as they slowly broke apart. “We’re finally…” She swallowed, looking around at her siblings. “We’re finally doing it.”

“I still can’t believe this is all real,” Buttercup said, flapping her good wing gently as a breeze blew past. “It’s almost like a dream!”

“Like I have said before, girls,” Starlight warned. “What we plan to do will not resonate with most. These ponies' minds are so brainwashed with their beliefs that they won’t be able to think straight!” Her eyes grew serious. “They will say anything and do anything to keep living in a false fantasy. I really do hope you understand that this...this will change not only Equestria...but the world.”

A slight shudder of anticipation rippled throughout the group. Prism lifted her head and straightened her back with a sure smile. “I’m ready to prove my worth, mom. I’ll follow you anywhere.”

“Me too,” Sunshine said with a firm nod. “All of us will. We’ll do as much as it takes to bring a new dawn to Equestria.”

Sapphire wiped away a tear and sighed. “Take a good look, girls. It will be the last time we ever live here again.” Everypony looked into the darkness of the cave that led to the home they were raised in. Even though it was just a tiny hole in a big mountain… separating from the place they spent their whole lives living in was harder than expected.

Starlight wrapped her hooves around Buttercup and Sapphire. “Just shows how much you ladies have grown.” She paused. “How’s about one more hug for the road?” Her daughters smiled and wrapped their hooves around the mare they loved most, eyes closed in contentment. A small spark of magic shot from Starlight’s horn and showered over the girls, unnoticed. So they won’t recognize you, Starlight thought smugly. “Well!” she trilled, stepping back. “I believe it’s time to go, my dears! Everypony ready?”

The six young mares nodded, and with one last look at the cave, they followed their mother down the path of the mountain for the last time. A green vine sprouted out from the snow, twisting and curling as it trailed across the path behind them. Sunshine glanced back and frowned. “Is that you or me?”

Buttercup blinked to the growing vine and gasped.

“Keep it contained, Buttercup,” Starlight called back.

“Sorry, mother,” the pegasus replied, mentally willing the vine to shrink back.

****

“Do you ever get the feeling that something bad’s going to happen?”

Apple Bloom turned and raised an eyebrow. “Whaddaya mean by that?”

Sweetie Belle visibly sagged a little and continued to stir her tea with a helpless sigh. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I just...I’m just having these lucid dreams lately! It’s so weird. I’m starting to get them every night and--ew!”

“What now?” Scootaloo deadpanned, taking a big bite out of her Daisy sandwich. “Your seat wet again?”

Apple Bloom lurched forward and guffawed at the memory while Sweetie exhaled indignantly. “No, there’s like a caterpillar in my salad! Waiter! Excuse me! Waiter, there’s...ugh, I swear!”

Apple Bloom shook her head, still giggling while Scootaloo lightly tapped on the top of the mushroom they were dining on. “Guys.” She cleared her throat. “We need to think about our plans for next month.”

Sweetie banged her empty glass of iced tea against the mushroom top over Apple Bloom’s sharp exhale. “Gosh, Scoots,” she murmured with strained cheerfulness. “Why do you always have to dampen everything, huh?”

Scootaloo ran a hoof through her bushy purple mane. “I’m sorry. But whether we like it or not, July 20th is--”

“Don’t even talk about July 20th,” Apple Bloom spat harshly. “I don’t even wanna think about it. Got enough trouble as it is.”

“It’s hard on me too,” Scootaloo fired back. “But I’m not just gonna turn a blind eye and push it in the back of my mind. It’s our job to organize Remembrance Day, and every year you try to act like it doesn’t exist!”

Apple Bloom slammed both hooves on the mushroom top, knocking over her drink in the process. “I don’t WANT to remem--”

Sweetie quickly stood up and held out her hooves to keep her friends apart. “Ladies, ladies, let’s just calm down, okay?” Her green eyes shined with anxiety as she spoke through her plastered grin. “We’re making a scene.”

The two other mares looked up to see a few ponies glancing over at them in concern. Scootaloo shot them a glare, turning their heads right back around. Apple Bloom rubbed her temple and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry, Scoots. I didn’t mean to yell at’cha like that.”

Scootaloo’s eyes softened. “No. I’m the one who’s sorry, Apple Bloom. I shouldn’t be bringing things up like that out of the blue...especially with your condition.”

“Don’t worry about it. Please. Can we get out of here?”

“Sure thing.”

“Good idea. If only the waiter would come and give us our check!”

Scootaloo stood up and stretched her wings. “Just leave it, Sweetie Belle. Want us to help you get up, A.B.?”

Apple Bloom waved a hoof. “I got it.” She grunted and stood on her hooves while Sweetie Belle left the right amount of bits. “Ooh,” she said with a smile, rubbing at her plump stomach. “Felt a kick that time!”

“I can’t wait until he or she comes out,” Sweetie Belle gushed as they trotted off.

“I sure hope it’s a she, for Twist’s sake,” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Girl’s already knitted an entire dress line before the seed’s even born!”

Moonlight had never been anyplace as busy or chaotic as Manehattan. The smoke, the pollution, the traffic, the rude poines….the cutie marks.

“Never have I ever seen such selfishness,” Sapphire murmured as they exited the city.

“Everypony pushes and shoves without even an apology,” Buttercup whispered. “That stallion back there wouldn’t let a mare ride a taxi when she was in a hurry--he didn’t even offer to share it! I just can’t understand it! Why can’t ponies be kind to one another?”

“Things will be better once we show them the way of the Equalist,” Moonlight assured her sisters. “Remember, these ponies spent their whole lives living as cutie mark puppets. They know nothing else. These things take time, you know.”

As they continued along the road, a hunched-over figure sitting at the edge of the road caught Pearl’s eye. “Mother, look! It looks like it’s a colt...oh, he’s so sad!”

Everypony looked at the sniffling pony down the road and the sisters stepped forward, intending to comfort this pony when Starlight held out a hoof, head tilting in thought. “Pearl, it looks like he could use some cheering up. Why don’t you go see what’s the matter? We have time.”

Pearl looked over at the pony, compassion and sympathy propelling her forward. The colt's head snapped up when he heard the soft clopping of hooves nearing towards him. He couldn’t have been more than six. “Hello,” she said sweetly. “What’s your name?”

The colt looked up at her and quickly wiped his eyes. “Motha says I’m not ‘sposed to talk to strangahs."

Pearl only giggled. “Well, she’d be right, wouldn’t she?” She leaned in close, and dropped her voice into a whisper. “That’s what my mom always used to say." She gestured to her family. "But then I think to myself…’If we’re never supposed to talk to strangers, how are we supposed to make new friends?’”

The youngster grinned with his mouth closed. “Heh...I don’t think she mean’it like that, but...I guess you’re right….wait….” His hazel eyes widened and he took his hoof away from his mouth. “Friends? You...you want to be my friend?”

“Well, sure, why not?” Pearl replied cheerfully. “You seem like a really nice pony. I’m Pearl. But I don’t understand why a nice colt like you would be crying on such a nice day. You should be out playing with your friends!”

The colt frowned, his eyes downcast. “I don’t ‘ave any friends,” he murmured. “All th’ kids at school make fun o’ me cause I ‘ave this stupid gap in my two front teeth.”

Pearl reeled back. “W...what?”

“It really sucks,” he sighed before wincing. “Sorry. Pardon my French. But it does! Every day they laugh ‘n call me names. I tried telling the teacha but afta she punishes them, they go right back to teas'in.” A tear trickled down his cheek. “I hate school now,” he admitted. “Maybe I should ask my Ma n’ Pa if I could be ‘omeschooled.”

Pearl’s mind reeled. How could anypony tease a fellow pony simply because their appearance differs from theirs? What kind of world was this?

“Little boy--”

“Fiah Brand.”

“Fire Brand, I may not know too much about how public schooling works because I’ve been homeschooled myself. But I don’t want you to miss out! It’s not that the kids at your school are bad by any means...they’re just afraid of what’s different from them, and that’s only natural. The problem is that they make fun of you because of that. They just don’t know what else to do, or how to deal with it.”

“I...nevah thought of it that way.”

“That’s right. And maybe if you asked your parents to get your teeth fixed, those ponies at school won’t have anything bad to say about you.”

“R-Really? You think so?”

“I know so.”

Starlight came forward, pleased to see the colt’s mood lightening. “Someday, little one, there will come a time when nopony will ever be made fun of ever again.”

“A-And everypony will only have something nice to say,” Buttercup added.

Firebrand smiled wider. “I’d like that...I’d like it very much, actually.”

Pearl tapped a hoof under the colt’s chin encouragingly. “Now come on. Let’s have a real smile, huh?”

Firebrand hesitated a bit before parting his lips and showing off the tiny gap between his teeth.

“Ooh, aren’t you handsome,” Sapphire cooed. “With just a bit of chiseling, your smile will match everypony else’s!”

Firebrand’s grin broadened. “Wow. I wish everypony were as nice as you. I’ll be sure to t’ ask my parents about my teeth.”

Starlight chuckled. “Knowing that you’re on the same level with others is a wonderful thing, my child. Equality these days is hardly fought. But kindness and fairness always starts with you. And that could grow into something beautiful. Now then, starlings, we must be off!”

“You’d better go home now, kid,” Prism suggested as they started to depart. “Your folks might be getting worried.”

Firebrand nodded and turned to the mare with a white coat and a blonde mane and tail. “Thanks for cheerin’ me up, Pearl,” he told her. “I can’t wait until my teeth are fixed.”

“Aw, you’re welcome, Fire. I hope we meet again soon…” She paused before smiling with a bit less enthusiasm, knowing they probably would meet again soon.

As the colt headed back for Manehattan, their mother spoke.

“Nicely done, Pearl. This will be good practice for you girls as we continue on. We still have a ways to go, so I will continue training you during nightfall. It is important that we are ready to help those in need of guidance, especially children. That one back there doesn't have his cutie mark yet, so there is still hope in him yet.”

The Glimmers nodded simultaneously. This would indeed be their biggest challenge yet.

*****

“I want to join the cheerleading squad, but I can’t join with these dorky glasses on my face!”

“Why don’t you try contacts? That’s what I wear.”

******

“The bakery is high on tension these days. Everypony’s so competitive over who is the best...I can’t decide!”

“Why not have them follow a simple recipe...like muffins?”

****

“It’s even colder than usual here in Fillydelphia. My kids are so spoiled, they want the best coats for prices I can’t even afford!”

“Why don’t you go for something more modest? Why, just look at the cloaks my daughters are wearing, and they’re as humble as pie.”

****

“...I don’t feel beautiful at all.”

“Oh, dearie, of course you are. Everypony is beautiful in the eyes of Equality.”

*****

“My boys get more injured practicing than playing on the field. Parents are getting worried.”

“Why don’t you stop making them compete against each other and maybe help them practice together and work as a team? Or better yet...why have Games like Hoofball in the first place? I mean...if that’s okay with you.”

“Something strange has fallen over the plains,” Luna said, staring intently outside her window. “Something is not right.”

“...Huh. I think I feel it too,” a voice said. “Like some dark energy starting to rise. What do you suggest we do, Princess?”

Luna pondered a moment, her flowing mane glittering in the night sky. “With my sister visiting Griffonstone for council, we shall have to deal with things on our own. I will not trouble her on a mere feeling...not yet, anyway.”

“I can survey the area if it would make you feel better,” the voice suggested. “Could use a night fly anyway.”

The Princess of the Night held a hoof to her chin before nodding. “Very well. I shall keep watch over things.” She gave a small, caring smile. “Be careful, Spike.”

The dragon that now stood a foot taller than she climbed onto the window sill and looked back with bright green eyes. “I will, Luna,” Spike replied before spreading his large wings and taking off into the night sky.

Author's Note

Ohmygosh yes. I feel like Lesson Zero Twilight trying to get things done :rainbowlaugh: The next few chapters, stuff is about to go DOWN. Buckle up :rainbowdetermined2:

I'm very tired but also very happy to finally finish this chapter :twilightsmile: Everything will be explained soon. If you have any questions or concerns, or have suggestions of what I can do to make impovements, please let me know. :pinkiehappy:

Chapter 11 - Only In Memory

Princess Luna sighed as she walked through Ponyville. Every subject she passed bowed with the most forlorn expressions she had ever seen. It had been a week since the disappearance of the element bearers, and the town had gone into a frenzy. She continued on her way, taking the time to nod at each pony. She wasn’t in a rush. It wasn’t long before the Friendship Castle neared, in all its splendor and beauty.

Guards that were stationed around the entrance stood aside and saluted to their ruler as she walked into the entrance.

It was a chaotic sight. More guards, both Solar and Lunar kept a silent vigil in the halls. Reporters had flown in, snapping pictures and jotting down notes. Luna paid them no mind and brushed past them and headed to the throne room. Ever since Spike sent the alarming letter to Canterlot, the Friendship Castle turned into a base camp for both private investigators and friends and family of the element bearers.

Quiet sobbing floated to the Princess's’ ears, causing her to sigh again. She would give anything to be somewhere, anywhere else but here.

The throne room was crowded with ponies. Concerned, angry and some hysterical family members and friends filled the room, voices and sobs overlapping in a sorrowful blend of music. Luna’s concerned eyes grazed over the colorful crowd, quickly rummaging her mind over what she could possibly say to them.

Just then, she heard a young, slightly squeaky voice call out her name. Her head turned just in time to see Sweetie Belle push her way past a few ponies. “Princess Luna!” She cried out again.

Her hooves clipped the cold marble as she rushed in front of Luna, the corners of her fearful green eyes gathering tears. “Y-You can see dreams! Can’t you find out where Rarity is when she’s asleep?”

Luna opened her mouth, but the other two Crusaders appeared beside their friend before she could answer. Apple Bloom uttered a guttural sob as she reached up and buried her face into Luna’s chest-plate. “Please,” she choked, her voice muffled. “Please tell us you’ll find our sisters! Big Mac’s been more quiet than usual, an’...an’ Granny f-fell out of bed today...I...I’m scared!”

Luna gently stroked her red mane and pulled back, placing a hoof under the filly’s chin. “It would be foolish of me to make such promises, young Apple Bloom. However, I will promise that I will try my very hardest to bring your sisters back to you, for they are dear to me, too.”

The youngest Apple sniffled and nodded slowly. Luna’s gaze shifted to Scootaloo, who was standing off to the side. She hastily wiped her eyes and swallowed hard, her lower lip giving off a slight tremble. Luna took a step forward and slowly rubbed the top of her head. “Princess!”

Luna’s head snapped up and a stocky pony with a thick mustache and white coat came forward with a crying unicorn female with a pink coat and purple mane at his side. “Is there word? Anything at all?”

“I..”

“Whoever put their dirty paws on my baby girl deserves to burn in Tartarus!” a mare with a short orange mane shouted, slamming down a hoof. A stallion with a rainbow mane spoke to her in soft mutters, to which she replied sharply, “CALM?! How can I be bucking calm when our daughter is missing, Bow?!”

“How could this happen?” a portly blue mare with an apron asked a lanky yellow stallion as they bounced two wailing babies in their forelegs. Luna at least recognized these two, but faintly.

“Nopony would dare hurt Pinkie Pie, would they, Carrot?”

Luna nervously blinked from face to face, running all the reassuring things she could say through her head at once. “Please, everypony….”

A young mare held with a grey coat and violet eyes hugged a sobbing stallion, murmuring, “Fluttershy...oh, Fluttershy!”

Luna’s heart skipped a beat when warm breath tickled her ear. “Princess. Your sister is in need of your presence.” Luna turned to the Celestial guard, and judging by the look in his eyes, the situation was far worse then he let on. With one last glance towards the crowd of ponies, she followed the Celestial guard down the darkened purple halls of the castle.

After half a minute of silence, the guard stopped at a closed door and stood attention, giving a single salute. Luna gave a firm nod of thanks before pushing the door open with a hoof.

What used to be Twilight’s Library was now a pitch dark room with the sole exception with a ray of golden light. That light was focused on a fear-stricken pony at a table, shaking like a leaf. Tears leaked down the pony’s face. “P-Please believe me! I never had anything to do with--”

“Spike mentioned how you treated Rarity in Manehattan two moons ago,” a sharp voice spat. “The judges favored her over you, and so did your assistant. An act out of jealousy, perhaps?”

“I didn’t hurt Rarity! Or her friends! I don’t even know them! I swear it!”

A large, slender body blocked Luna’s view of the mare as the sound of slamming hooves threatened to burst her eardrums. “You’re LYING TO ME!”

“SISTER!” Luna yelled.

The figure stopped short and whirled around, her mane falling over half of her face. “...Luna?”

The lights immediately cut back on, giving view of all of the bookshelves and Daring Doo posters on the walls. The shivering and quaking ball of a pony sat at Twilight’s desk, her parchments still neatly placed at the corner.

Princess Celestia blinked rapidly and eased her hooves off the desk. “I...I am sorry,” she muttered quietly, trying to regain her composure. “I did not mean to raise my voice to you, my little pony. Please, forgive me.”

The mare swallowed hard as she bobbed her head. “O-Of course, P-Princess.” She looked between the two royal sisters, shrinking back slightly. “C-Can I go now? Please?”

Celestia sighed. “Of course you may. I will have somepony escort you back to Manehattan.”

The mare was already halfway across the room. “No need,” she peeped, bolting out the door. Luna turned her head and narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Celestia said quietly.

Luna crossed over to her sister, and spoke in a low, earnest voice. “If we panic, they win. Don’t give them what they want.” She paused and shifted her tone. “And yes. Lord Tirek is still in his weakened state and tightly secured in Tartarus. I saw to it personally, like you asked.” Celestia closed her eyes tightly. “What name do we cross off of our list?”

The eldest set her jaw before speaking in a calmer tone. ”Suri Polomare. One of Rarity’s rivals. She’s...innocent. Along with two swindlers...a Griffon...and a Minotaur.”

Luna materialized a parchment and quill, making smooth and neat lines along the material. “Another has been taken into custody. A ‘Lightning Dust’, a rival of Rainbow Dash. There is also a number of Diamond Dogs, a creature called Ahuizotl, and a few Sirens Twilight got into a tangle with a while back.”

Celestia had sunken into a chair and laughed somewhat ruefully. “Oh, Twilight...the trouble you got yourselves into.”

“I still think we are wasting our time with these little rivals of theirs,” Luna said, rolling up the parchment. It disappeared in a wisp of blue dust. “The suspect we should be interrogating is Chrysalis! If anypony wanted to go after Twilight and her friends, it’s that overgrown bug!”

“I know that, Luna,” Celestia replied tiredly. “We are trying to locate her. But this...this is too delicate. We have to go over each and every possibility before we make clear assumptions. I don’t want to risk losing them….” Her eyes turned downcast. “They are too precious to me. To all of us.”

After watching her sister, Luna relented. “Understood.”

The door flung open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. The alicorn’s heads snapped up to see another pony being pushed into the room, followed by a larger pony decked with armor. “What is the meaning of this!?” the smaller pony demanded. Stars that patterned her purple hat and cape projected brightly tinted shapes in the walls with every movement she made. “Just WHAT have I done to deserve this...this brutality!?”

The larger pony removed his helmet revealing his cold blue eyes. “You’re under interrogation for the possible fillynapping of the elements of Harmony, AND the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle….my little sister.”

“S-S-S-Sister!?” the smaller pony stuttered. “That little librarian is your sister? B-But Trixie would never--”

“According to every single citizen of Ponyville, you were the one who terrorized Ponyville some time ago,” Luna said in a-matter-of-fact tone.

Another guard came up behind Shining Armor and held up a scroll. Shining’s eyes scanned over it with a look of disgust. “You forced Rarity to make 58 banners and tapestries and made Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash hang up every single one of them...Applejack had to spend hours stepping in apple mush to make your cider...you forcefully removed Pinkie Pie’s mouth and nose from her face against her will…”

Trixie cringed as Shining shifted the weight of his gaze onto her. “And you exiled my sister from town.”

The unicorn’s knees started to quake as their heated gazes burned holes in her. “I--but--see--”

“I think I’ll be taking my leave,” Celestia sighed, walking past them. “Do what you must, Captain Armor.”

Luna exhaled and soon followed, but not before pausing at the door. “Do not harm her, Captain.”

Shining Armor looked up. “If she’s hiding something...I can’t make any promises.”

A long moment of silence that was only broken with Trixie’s ragged breathing stretched on before Luna turned away. “Very well.” The door swung shut behind her, and the Princess of the Night was once again left alone with her thoughts.

“Princess…..Princess?”

“Princess.”

Luna’s eyes shifted to a Celestial Guard, who saluted upon her direct attention. “Your highness, there’s been a riot in front of the castle. We’ve set up a barricade to keep ponies back, but they’re growing more restless by the minute.”

Luna’s ears perked up at the distant shouting and screaming from below. “Rioting? There hasn’t been a riot here since the age of Gloin!” She spread her wings and glided across her chamber over to the window. Thousands of ponies had gathered at the gates of Canterlot Palace, pushing and shoving. Luna was appalled at how her ponies were acting. “Who brought about such violence and disarray?”

“Her name is Starlight Glimmer, your grace,” the guard replied.

“I’ve never heard of the name. What has she against us?”

“We don’t know. We have apprehended her, however. She seemed...eager to meet you.”

After a moment's pause, Luna nodded. “Then meet we shall.” She pursed her lips. “Has Spike returned yet?”

The guard shook his head.

Her brow furrowed. “Hmmm.” She began to walk towards the door, when the guard cleared his throat.

“One more thing, your highness. The mare has brought other ponies with her...her daughters. They refused to leave her side.”

He was met with a cool glance. “Then bring them here. Bring them all.”

Author's Note

AHHHH! CHAPTER! I'm so sorry for the long wait. April was a busy month for me...in my College, our finals started in April, and I had to study my flank off to pass all my tests. Now that school's out, it should be smooth sailing from here!

The next chapter is under construction, and it will be out soon, not to mention longer! Lots of familiar faces will appear, and Canterlot won't be the same.

Chapter 12 - The Trial

In all her life, Starlight had never dreamed that she would meet royalty. The closest she’d ever come to a Princess was Twilight Sparkle herself...the lesser of the four. Despite questioning their methods for years, the unicorn couldn’t help but wonder what it'd be like to meet one of the two sisters that ruled over Equestria each day. However, Starlight was a mare of practicality. What were the chances of a pony like her meeting a monarch?

Yet, lo and behold, there she was.

The Princess of the Night herself slowly descended the Canterlot Castle steps, their gazes firmly locked on each other. Starlight’s daughters stood crowded around her, gawking at the alicorn. Starlight mentally prayed that the disguise spell she had cast on her daughter's held. Princess Luna strode forward with a silent glare before stopping short in front of them. Her eyes swept over the Glimmers, analyzing each one.

“So,” she said at last, her voice sharp as a blade, echoing through the halls. “This is the mare that started up all of this...commotion?”

“I am,” Starlight replied cooly. She stepped forward and gave a small bow. “My name is Starlight Glimmer.” She rose before gesturing to the company around her. “And these are my daughters.”

“You’re huge,” Pearl blurted out. Several eyes fell upon her, some burning with shock and annoyance. “I-I mean, you’re really tall! I’ve never seen a pony with wings and a horn up close before! Does it hurt? I bet it hurts, doesn’t it? How do you get your mane to float like th--”

Pearl was abruptly cut short by Sunshine's hoof in her mouth. “Ha ha...You’ll have to excuse her,” Sunshine chuckled with a strained grin. “She--we’ve never met royalty before.”

A light laugh escaped Luna.. “That’s quite alright.” She silently observed the cloaks and saddlebags on their backs. “Can I get you anything? Any refreshments for the young ones?”

“There’s no need,” Starlight replied, walking past Luna to observe the great hall. “We had a very fine meal cooked up by one of your citizens...free of charge.”

Luna’s mouth twisted. “Yes...my citizens. They’re usually quite peaceful, the ponies of Canterlot. Tell, me, miss Glimmer…” Her expression was unreadable. “What did you say to upset them so?”

Starlight tilted her head to the side. “It’s not necessarily what I said, Princess. Even I know that sometimes, there are things...more powerful than tongue.” the guards present lurched forward with their spears upon Starlight opening her saddle bag, but Luna’s hoof stayed them. The face of a book cover peeked out from the bag. It was only half the cover, but that was all it took, for something flickered in Luna’s eyes.

All eyes trained on the now stiff alicorn. “...Guards,” she said, her voice a little less than steady. “Outside. Now.”

The ponies in armor looked at each other in surprise before bowing low. “O-Of course Princess,” one of them said as they backed out the entrance hall.

After each pony had been cleared out, Starlight turned to Moonlight. “You and your sisters wait here.” Her eyes shifted to Luna, the corners of her mouth turning upwards. “The Princess and I have some things to discuss!”

The throne room sparkled in the early morning light. Sun particles danced in the air, accompanied by the fragrance of Sungold flowers. Starlight’s hooves sank into the magenta carpet stretching across the room as she sauntered through, taking in the majestic sight of Celestia’s throne in all its splendor and glory. Now this is a mare that lets ponies KNOW who’s in charge, Starlight thought. I don’t know if I should be disgusted or impressed. Princess Luna sank into Celestia’s throne with a weary sigh. Her dark complexion was in stark contrast to the bright and colorful atmosphere that surrounded her. “I take it you’ve already shown the books to the public.”

Starlight smiled. “Yes, but the books themselves are nothing compared to the wonders my girls performed in the Square.”

Luna sat up, her eyes wide as dinner plates. “You...you showed your children how to use unicorn magic!? ‘Tis Sorcery!”

Starlight thrust a hoof towards Luna. “To you, maybe! Of course an all-powerful and all-knowing alicorn like yourself would want the power all to yourself! Leaving your subjects in the dark for all these years! Well, Princess Luna. Now your secrets are out for all to see, and you can’t stand it.”

Luna leaned back and pressed a hoof to her temple, closing her eyes. “What is it that you want, Starlight Glimmer? What is it that you hope to gain in all this? Fame? Fortune? Security?”

Starlight grinned and shook her head slowly. “No...I don’t want something as petty as money. No, I want something much better than that.” She lifted her head. “What I want, Princess Luna, is to bring this to court.”

Wind blew in Starlight’s face as Luna suddenly appeared in front of her, her giant wings flared out at her sides. “You wouldn’t dare,” Luna growled.

“Oh, yes, I would,” Starlight whispered, her grin unwavering. She leaned forward, her snout almost brushing against Luna’s. “I already took the rest of the copies to the Monarchy, and they’d like to have more than a few words with you.

“Go ahead, stop me if you wish. Take the books from the judges, throw me in the deepest, darkest dungeon you could ever dream of. But you cannot take away what your ponies have seen, nor erase my ideals from their heads. Doing so will completely destroy the image you’ve worked so hard to gain.”

Luna glared at her with searching eyes. “What have we done to bring out such hostility?”

“You failed to tell your subjects the truth.”

“And that upsets you so?”

“What upsets the ponies upsets me--”

The ice cold stare was enough to silence Starlight mid-sentence. “How dare you,” Luna said, her voice barely above a whisper. Eyes narrowed, her wings slowly returned to her body. “Very well, miss Glimmer. I won’t try bribing you, or overtake you. If I had it my way, I’d make this go away quietly. Destroy the books, make you rot in the cells of Tartarus for the rest of your life. With the slight exception of your daughters, I doubt anypony would miss you.” Starlight swallowed weakly.

“But I am not the mare I once was. Such things are beneath me now. This is a mistake I have taken part in, and I intend to face it like a mare. I am no coward. Go ahead. bring this to trial, but let me make this perfectly clear…”

She stepped back and drew herself up to full height, casting a shadow over Starlight. “What we chose to keep secret was for the safety of all ponies. We did it out of love, not spite. We are most beloved by our subjects, and that will never change...no matter what you choose to reveal.”

Starlight looked up and frowned at the window panes. “We’ll see,” she murmured.

Moonlight jumped at the sound of a slamming door. “Guess what I found out!” The eldest Glimmer turned on her side to see Sapphire giddily bouncing down the aisle between the two rows of beds.

The other girls roused at the sudden wake up call, save one. “Five more minutes,” Prism snorted, snuggling into her pillow. As the table lanterns flickered on, Moonlight leapt from her bed, nearly tackling Sapphire in the process.

“You left? Without telling us? Do you realize you could have gotten lost?”

Sapphire grunted in slight annoyance and pushed Moonlight off. “I only stepped out for a minute! I couldn’t sleep, so I took a small stroll down the hallway...and then I overheard something behind one of the doors. Kind of...scandalous if you ask me.”

Moonlight was immediately bumped out of the way as Pearl, Buttercup and Sunshine crowded around Sapphire. “Hey!”

“What is it! What is it!” Pearl pressed, almost bouncing on the tip of her hooves. Sunshine pressed a hoof on her sister’s back to keep her still.

“On one condition. You can’t tell mother I snuck out,” Sapphire said pointedly.

Buttercup nodded quickly. “Tell, tell!” she urged softly. “What did you find out?”

Sapphire looked around before beckoning everypony closer. “Now that mother presented the books to the Monarchy, they had to bring in the Sun Princess back from her trip early! So I heard her talking to the Moon Princess--”

“Wait wait wait, back up. Celestia is here?” Sunshine asked, stunned. “Here as in in this castle...right down the hall?”

“That’s what I said, now hush! Anyway, I heard them talking behind the door, and I heard them arguing with each other! The Moon Princess sounded really mad. ‘I knew this would come back to haunt us!’, she said. ‘We should have destroyed those books while we had the chance!’”

The others stared at her, wide-eyed. “And...what did the Sun Princess say back?” Pearl asked.

“She said, ‘We cannot falter now, sister. The only thing we can do is plead our case and hope they understand what we were trying to do.’

“‘We can’t hope that,’ the Moon Princess said. ‘The Monarchy is but foals to our eyes. How can they begin to understand what it was like centuries ago? First the Elements, now this?’”

The girls were deeply enthralled. “And then?” Buttercup asked.

Sapphire sighed regretfully and shook her head. “I didn’t get to hear the rest. A guard came by, so I had to leave.”

Moonlight rubbed her chin in deep thought. “Hm. I wonder what she meant by ‘Elements’...”

“Well I’m just glad that they’ll be revealed for what they truly are,” Sunshine said with a firm nod. Buttercup ruffled and flapped her good wing and tucked it back before pawing at the carpet. “I don’t know...I mean, the Sun Princess seems nice.”

“Seems, Buttercup,” Moonlight pointed out. “The Su--Princess Celestia is all about keeping up appearances. We need to be smart about this. We have to be on our guard at all times.”

Buttercup let her eyes fall to her hooves, and let out a small breath. “It was nice of them to give us this room to sleep in,” she said casually, changing the subject.

Pearl was suddenly jumping from one bed to another, giggling. “These beds are perfect for bouncing!”

“Nothing but the best for the ponies bringing both Princesses to trial,” Moonlight commented dryly, watching her sister sail across the room.

“At least they have good hospitality,” Sunshine said, looking around. “I wonder why she isn’t back yet.”

“Mother said she had to take care of a few things before we went to sleep. I thought she would've been back by now.”

Sapphire looked up and squinted at the clock on the wall before gasping. “It’s two-thirty in the morning!” She rushed over to the bed Pearl was currently bouncing on. “Ponies are still asleep!” she hissed.

“These mattresses are softer than a foal’s rump on a spring afternoon!” Pearl whisper-shouted. “Nopony’s gonna hear a little bed-bouncing!”

“That didn’t make any sense,” Sunshine deadpanned.

Pearl leapt horizontally onto another bed, causing the lump under the covers to shout.

“Ow! Pearl!”

“Oops! Sorry, I forgot you were under there!”

Prism sprang out from the bed sheets and lunged forward. “C’mere you--!”

“Eeek!”

Pearl launched herself onto another bed as Prism started to give chase.

“Pearl! Prism! Stop that!” Moonlight shouted, trotting after them. Prism tackled Pearl, sending the pink pony flat on her back, squirming. “Let me go!” she squealed. “HELP!”

Buttercup glanced towards the door nervously. “Um..girls…”

“I’m not letting go ‘till you say Uncle!” Prism sneered.

Pearl struggled in earnest, but laughed uncontrollably. “Never!” Without warning, she took a deep breath and blew ice-cold air in Prism’s face, making the pegasus stagger back.

“Yow!”

Pearl sat up and blew more air; ice and snow circled around her, transforming into a protective bubble. “Ha! Let’s see you get through this!”

Prism simply smirked. She inhaled deeply and blew out tongues of fire, melting the ice bubble Pearl had made. Sunshine slapped a hoof to her face while Sapphire stared blankly at her sisters. “Girls,” Buttercup repeated with growing insistence. “I really think we should--”

“Knock it OFF!” Moonlight yelled, shoving herself in the middle and using her hooves to keep them apart. “Ponies are trying to SLEEP!”

“We’re being awfully loud…”

“Why are you yelling at me? Pearl’s the one that used magic on me!”

“Prism attacked me!”

“You JUMPED ON ME!”

“Somepony’s gonna hear us…”

“I SAID I was SORRY!”

“What’s going on in here!?”

Everypony’s head whirled around to see Starlight glaring at them in the doorway. “Why aren’t you all in bed?”

Everypony immediately scrambled to their respective beds, some mumbling fervent apologies as they threw the covers over themselves. Starlight shook her head, closing the door behind her. “Don’t you know how loud you were? I could hear you from all the way across the hall!”

Buttercup poked her head out from her blanket. “That’s what I’ve been trying to--”

“Not now, Buttercup. Honestly, I expected better from a group of young ladies! I know you are still growing up, but for goodness sake! Are you eighteen, or are you ten?” Her daughters blushed deeply.

“We’re sorry mom,” Prism mumbled. “We..we were just…”

“Excited for the Trial?” Pearl suggested with a nervous grin.

Starlight paused before sighing with a smile. “Well. I can’t expect you not to be.” She dimmed down the lanterns with her magic. It’s a shame they don’t use fireflies anymore, she thought. “Tomorrow will determine the fate of many. Including or own. That’s why I need you girls to get some sleep tonight. The Trial starts bright and early.”

“I can’t believe we’ve come this far,” Moonlight said, stifling a yawn. “And so soon.”

Starlight moved over to Moonlight’s bed and tucked her in further. “Hard work always pays off, my starlings.” She leaned in, kissing Moonlight on the cheek. She looked up to see Pearl and Prism already snoring up a storm. She chuckled.

“...Mother?”

Starlight turned to Buttercup, who fidgeted underneath the sheets. “What if…” She frowned worriedly. “What if the court rules in the Royal sisters’ favor? What do you think the Princesses will do to us?”

Starlight walked over to the little pegasus’ bedside and caressed Buttercup’s cheek. “Don’t you worry your little head about that,” she said tenderly. “The ponies of Canterlot are on our side, and so will the judges once they see my secret weapon.”

Buttercup’s brow furrowed. “Secret weapon? I didn’t know we had a secret weapon. What is it?”

Starlight shook her head slightly and winked. “You’ll see.” She gently stroked Buttercup’s powder pink hair, making her large teal eyes roll up in fatigue. “I’d never let anypony hurt you,” Starlight whispered with a soft firmness. “You’re my children.” Starlight’s eyes wandered into space. “Nopony’s going to take you away from me.”

“I love you, mom,” Buttercup yawned, drifting off to sleep.

Starlight sat there for a long moment. “I love you too…” Fluttershy.

“I can’t believe we almost overslept!” Moonlight near growled as they rushed through the Canterlot Castle halls.

“Now, now, Moonlight,” Starlight panted, slowing herself so that her daughters could keep up. “The important thing is that we arrive on time.”

“We have Pearl and Prism to thank for keeping us up last night,” Sunshine grumbled.

“It was Pearl’s fault,” Prism sniffled. “An’ her stupid ice blast gave me a cold!”

Pearl stuck her tongue out. “In my defense, we were already asleep when Sa--mmmph!” A blue aura concealed her muzzle, silencing her.

“So help me…” Sapphire hissed from behind her. They finally reached the double doors leading to the Canterlot Court room. Dozens of highly ranked ponies had gathered. Most were lingering in the large hall conversing, while others strolled into the court room.

The girls followed Starlight as she went to talk with one of the guards stationed at the double doors. “Starlight Glimmer,” she stated with the toss of her mane. “I trust my evidence is tightly secured inside?” The guard looked her over and nodded. “The Princesses are already inside. Your legal team the council has appointed for you is stationed at the Prosecution desk.”

“Excellent!” Starlight said brightly. “Are there enough chairs for my daughters?”

“I’m sorry, miss Glimmer, but your children will have to remain out here.”

“What? why ever not?” Starlight asked, shocked.

“And we’re not children,” Prism frowned. “We’re mares!”

The guard’s unamused gaze shifted to Prim. “Are you twenty-one or older?”

“W-Well...no,” Prism said relecutantly.

Pearl popped up in front of the guard’s face. “But we’ll be nineteen this Julyyyy~!” she sang, waggling her eyebrows.

The guard’s mouth formed into a line as he pushed her away. “Sorry. Ponies twenty and below are not permitted at court unless they are called upon as witnesses.”

“And the legal age of official mares and stallions is twenty-one,” the second guard said. “That law passed five years ago. Didn’t you know that already?”

“I guess not,” Starlight murmurued.

Pearl looked around at her sisters. “Sooo...does that mean we’re still kids?”

“I don’t care what their law says,” Prism grumbled. “I say we’re mares.”

Starlight gave an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry my starlings. But, I think I can take it from here. I will call for you when I absolutely need you.”

Suddenly, angry mutterings floated towards their ears. The Glimmers turned to see a tall, pink alicorn storming over with a unicorn stallion at her heels. The girls reeled at the sight of yet another alicorn. “Who’s she?” Sunshine asked.

Before anypony could answer, the alicorn brushed past the young ponies and stood face to face with Starlight. “You did this,” she said in a low, tremulous voice.

“All I did was expose the lies,” Starlight said calmy, unfazed. “You should be directing your anger towards your aunts...not me….Mi Amour Cadenza. Such a vain title.”

Princess Cadence drew in a sharp breath between clenched teeth. “This is treason.” Starlight leaned forward, her eyes alight with fire.

“The only treason here is the secrets the Princesses kept from all of us for their own benefit! If treason means trying to give everypony a happy and normal life, then you are more confused than I thought you were.”

Moonlight raised her eyebrows at yet another pink aliorn trotting over. But this one was smaller, perhaps around their age. She had a curly purple mane and tail with light blue streaks. Magenta-rimmed glasses rested on her snout. She eyed the Glimmers suspiciously as she stood beside the male unicorn, folding her large wings at her sides.

“The subjects are loyal to my aunts,” Cadence said. “They’d choose them anyday over a witch like you. Come on, Shining Armor.” With that, she lifted her head and went inside the court room.

“II’ll be right there,” Shining replied, crouching down to his daughter’s level. “It might be awhile. Where’s your Governess?”

“She took White Charger to the bathroom,” the young alicorn said.

Shining nodded. “When they get back, I want you to stay with them, alright? Keep your brother as entertained as possible. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes Dad,” she sighed as he planted a kiss on her brow. Shining Armor gave her a firm pat on the shoulder and trotted towards the courtroom.

On the way, he bumped into Moonlight, who gasped. “I-I’m sorry,” she squeaked.

Shining steadied her and smiled. “No worries, kid.” He ruffled her mane before disappearing behind the doors.

Starlight gave each daughter a hug before stepping back. “You will remain here,” she ordered. “Do not go anywhere else. Moonlight, I’m leaving you in charge. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, mother.”

Starlight glanced around, biting her lip. I wish I had somepony to watch them.

“Miss Glimmer,” the first guard warned. “Trial will commence in four minutes.”

Starlight nodded and flashed a confident smile. “Well...here we go!” Starlight finally went inside the court room, and the guards closed the doors behind her. The young Glimmers glanced at eachother and went over to the nearby wooden benches.

As some of them sat down, they spotted the young alicorn across the room sitting at a similar bench, glaring at them. “Wonder what’s her problem,” Prism whispered.

“Maybe she’s just lonely!” Pearl said, walking over. “I’m gonna say hi!” However, a purple aura gripped her tail and pulled her backward.

“You can’t just go over there!” Moonlight reprimanded. “She’s related to the enemy!”

“You know I can hear you guys, right?” the alicorn deadpanned, sliding off the bench. “Bet you have me all figured out by just looking at me...don't you?”

“You tell us,” Sapphire said, looking her up and down.

The alicorn trotted over to them, placing a hoof to her chest. “I’m Flurry Heart. Princess of the New Chrystal Empire, and daughter of Princess Cadence and Captain Shining Armor.”

Moonlight frowned. “You’re sure full of yourself.”

“I could say the same about your mom. If she thinks she can take on my great aunts, she’s clearly mistaken. They’ve ruled Equestria for thousands of years...they obviously know what’s best for their subjects.”

“Your great aunts wants to discriminate against everypony!” Sunshine fired back. “They let their 'lower' subjects struggle through society when they shouldn’t have to! We saw most ponies living on the streets on our journey here!”

Flurry shook her head. “You just don’t understand how everything works. How can you expect Great Aunt Celestia to go and help each and every citizen that’s out there! She's got enough on her plate as it is. That’s why they come to her for assistance when they really need it! That’s how it’s always been.”

Before Moonlight could retort, a little colt scampered in, leaping up and blasting the air with his horn. A yellow magical aura stopped the colt’s spell from hitting a nearby window.

“White Charger, stop that right now!” a mare yelled, lifting the giggling colt up with her magic. She had a bright red mane and tail with yellow streaks tied up in a loose ponytail. Rectangular glasses shielded her cerulean eyes, which narrowed at the colt before her. “What have I told you about using magic like that?”

The mare looked down at the group of girls and coked an eyebrow. “Oh? Who are your friends, Flurry?”

Casting a glare towards the Glimmers, she turned her back on them and trotted next to her Governess. “They aren’t my friends. They’re too delusional to be my friends.”

“That’s not nice, Furry,” the colt said, furrowing his brow.

“Flurry, Charger, Flurry,” his sister corrected him.

White Charger smiled as his Governess finally set him down on the floor. “I like Furry better.” He paused when his eyes fell on Buttercup’s grey colored cast. He tugged on his Governess’s tail. “Sunset, what’s wrong with that girl’s wing?”

“There’s nothing wrong with my wing,” Buttercup muttered.

Pearl suddenly touched her nose and brought her hoof back. Blood was stained on it. Huh. Must be the climate change. "Oookay!" she trilled, breaking the awkward silence. “So! Where’s the bathroom in this joint?”

“Further down that hall, eight doors down to the left, hon.” Sunset replied kindly.

“Thanks!”

Moonlight lifted a hoof. “Wait, Pearl, wa--!” But Pearl was already gone with the others following close behind her. Sputtering, she galloped after them. “WAIT! We were supposed to stay put!”

“With her in the room?” Prism called back over her shoulder. “I think not! Besides, it’s only for a few seconds!”

Moonlight muttered swears under her breath but followed them. As they turned a corner, she saw the last of Sapphire’s tail dissapear inside the filly’s room. “Alright. Fine! Just hurry up!” She leaned against the wall and huffed. “I swear, they never listen to--hey!”

Across the hall, Prism went inside an important looking office, leaving the door open. “Hey!” Moonlight ran in after her, her eyes bulging out of her head. “Are you out of your mind!? Get out!”

“Relax,” Prism whispered, circling around a large desk with books and parchments clustered on the surface. “I saw a tissue on the desk, and I need to blow my nose!”

Moonlight refrained herself from jumping on her sister and followed, avoiding a discarded compass on the floor. “There are tissues in the bathroom, for Pete’s sake!” Prism ignored her, grabbing a few tissues from it’s box. “I’ll jus' be a second,” she snuffed.

The little unicorn groaned, throwing her head back. “We’re gonna be in so much trouble.” Her eyes traveled along the blue wallpaper with silver stars on it, wondering who’s office it was.

Then her eye caught something on the bookshelves. Her head tilted to the side as she walked up to the shelf. She retracted her hoof when she reached for it, shaking her head. But after a moment’s pause, her curiosity got the better of her. Carefully, carefully, she pulled a book off of the shelf and took in the big, bold letters.

“The Elements of Harmony…The Tragedy that Changed Equestria.”

Author's Note

I...I brought you a chapter, Candlelit Inspiration...Are you happy? :fluttercry:

Chapter 13 - Dethroned

“With the combined elements of Kindness, Honesty, Laughter, Generosity, Loyalty, and the mystery element Magic, our six unlikely heroes united together and conquered Nightmare Moon, effectively turning her back into our beloved Princess Luna. Soon after the two Royal sisters reunited and reconciled, Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic, moved to Ponyville and became the town’s local librarian. A great celebration was held, and the Summer Sun Celebration finished off with a grand party.”

Moonlight’s eyes lifted from the pages to see her sisters crowded around her, deeply enthralled. “Wow,” Pearl said, grinning. “That was a great story!”

“We really should be getting back,” Moonlight said, glancing at the clock on the wall. “We’ve been gone far too long.”

“The trial’s still going on,” Prism complained. “There’s nothing to d--ahh...ah--ACHOO!”

“Bless you,” the girls chorused.

“Uhh...Danks.”

“Couldn’t we read just one more chapter before we go?” Buttercup asked with a hopeful smile. “It’s just so interesting seeing a bunch of ponies with different talents and interests get along so well. I wonder how they do it.”

“I wish we could, Buttercup,” Sapphire sighed. “But we just don’t have the time for another. We lost too much time as it is!”

Before before Buttercup could open her mouth, a burst of commotion emanated from down the hall. Ears perked up at the sound of slamming doors and murmuring voices. Sunshine trotted over to the open door of the office and poked her head out. “Uh...girls? I think we’d better get out of here.”

One by one, the young girls trotted out of the office. “Be right there,” Moonlight called, walking over to the shelf to put the book back. As she started to close the book, one of the pages slid forward, revealing a corner of a picture with green grass. Cocking her head to the side, she turned to the very last page of the chapter.

Her heart skipped a beat when her gaze rested on the entirety of the picture. In it, six bright and colorful mares were sitting and posing for the camera, the sun shining above them. In the middle sat a small purple unicorn wearing a tranquil, yet happy smile.

It was like looking in the mirror.

Sunshine appeared in the doorway. “Moonlight, what are you doing? Let’s go!”

“These ponies look like us,” Moonlight said blankly.

Sunshine’s face twisted in confusion. “What?” Groaning, she rushed forward, grabbed the book, and slammed it shut before putting it back on the shelf. “It’s deliberation,” she hissed. “We need to go. Now!” She grabbed hold of Moonlight’s hoof and raced out of the office.

Moonlight didn’t resist or object, for her head was too busy spinning to give a proper response.

Starlight Glimmer beamed when she saw her daughters standing outside the courtroom. “Starlings!” She opened her hooves and her daughters eagerly ran into them, chattering loudly and bombarding her with questions. Chuckling she waved her hooves. “Goodness gracious, one at a time!”

“How did it go?” Prism asked, sniffing.

A smile spread across Starlight’s face. “Even better than what I expected.” She shook her head and sighed, her eyes becoming glassy. “In all my years I’ve never seen so many ponies absorb and cherish what I’ve been trying to say all along. When you work so hard for something…” Pursing her lips, she cleared her throat. “But it’s too early to celebrate now. We still have to wait for deliberation.”

“How long does that take?” Pearl asked.

“Well, it depends on the circumstances,” Starlight explained. “It could take five hours or five days. And since the Princesses themselves are on trial, well...I assume it’ll be a long time before they reach a decision. These things aren’t to be taken lightly, you know.”

As her mother and sisters continued to talk, Moonlight’s mind wandered elsewhere. Her gaze shifted from pony to pony as the large crowd lingered in front of the open court doors. Heated conversations rippled across the hall, washing over them. Moonlight knew that her mother had a great affect on these ponies, judging by the look in their eyes and the rapid movements of their lips.

She didn’t see any of the two Royal Princesses anywhere, but she did manage to spot the pink alicorn Princess...Cadence, she presumed….standing in the far corner near one of the windows with her family. Her narrow, pinched face looked pale and drawn, and her long beautiful mane hung around her face like a curtain. Her husband, she forgot his name, was whispering into her ear and holding her close. The fiery maned Governess stood with them, her eyes dimmed behind her spectacles. The little white colt, White Charger, looked up at the adults, looking sad and confused.

That was when Moonlight made instant eye contact with Flurry heart. Her ice blue eyes bore into her, cold and pale. Her lower lip trembled, and a single tear trickled down her cheek, causing her pink glasses to slide down her nose.

“Moonlight?”

Her head turned and saw her mother and sisters staring at her, making her cheeks heat up. “Are you alright?” Starlight asked.

The corners of her mouth lifted. “Yeah. I’m just really tired.”

Starlight nodded. “Yes, I can imagine so.” She turned to address the rest of her daughters. “Why don’t we go back to our room and have a rest? I’ll see if there’s some way to bring some food up here.”

Voices rose in agreement as they all started to head back to their room. Moonlight followed behind, watching the golden clouds float outside the window as the sun began to set.

“Sunshine...”

“Sunshine.”

“Mmmm.”

“Sunshine, wake up. Please.”

Sunshine grunted, her bleary green eyes fluttering open. “Mmm. ‘zit over?”

“What?”

“Deliberation, is it over?”

Moonlight shook her head. “No. I just...I needed to talk to you.”

Sunshine’s mouth curved into an annoyed frown as she tossed over onto her side. “It couldn’t have waited ‘till morning?”

“Please, Sunshine. It’s important, I swear. I...I have nopony else to talk to about this.” Sunshine shifted her gaze, surprised. She hadn’t seen her sister look so confused and scared since Buttercup’s wing was paralyzed.

Nodding once, she sat up and pulled the covers off. Relief flooded in Moonlights eyes as they both slid off the bed. Careful not to wake their mother and sisters, the two of them silently slipped out of the room, gently closing the door behind them. After Moonlight guided Sunshine further down the hall, the blonde earth pony sat on the floor and leaned her back against the wall. “Alright. You got me out here. What is it?”

Moonlight swallowed with difficulty, her throat constricted. Pressing a hoof to her mouth, she tried to organize her thoughts. “Okay. Okay, you might think this is crazy...heck I think this is crazy!” She giggled softly, eliciting a wary look from Sunshine.

“Uhh...well, look, whatever it is, you can tell me.” Moonlight abruptly plopped down in front of her sister and exhaled.

“Hoo. Okay. You remember that book I read today, right?”

Sunshine nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

“Well, when I started to put it back on the shelf, I saw a glimpse of picture on the next page. I turned to it, and...and I saw a photo of the Bearers of Harmony.”

“Well, that’s nice, Moonlight, but what does it have to d--”

“Sunshine. Those ponies looked exactly like us. All of us, right down to the colors of our eyes!”

Sunshine blinked. “Ooookay, I’m not following. I mean, so what? We probably look like lots of ponies, and...we’re not used to seeing it yet. It’s a big world out here.”

“The blonde one even had your freckles, Sunshine!” Moonlight whispered sharply. She grabbed clumps of her mane between her hooves.

“The purple unicorn...Twilight...we have the exact same mane color! Indigo with pink streaks? That doesn’t happen often, does it? Even Prism’s rainbow-colored mane matches exactly with the element of Loyalty’s!”

“And their cutie marks?” Sunshine asked, crossing her fore hooves. “What did those look like? What about their height? Their age? Not to mention the book said "Tragedy," which means they're probably dead. Last I checked, we're pretty much alive."

Moonlight faltered. “O-Okay, maybe they had different cutie marks...I didn’t get a good look at them, but they were all different...and the girls did look bigger…” her voice trailed off. “And older…”

Sunshine shook her head slightly, at a loss. “What are you trying to say, Moonlight? Where’s all of this coming from?”

Moonlight sighed and leaned back. “I don’t know….I don’t know, I just...I have a feeling, Sunny. Something about this just doesn’t sit right with me. I know something’s up, but...I don’t really have the evidence. I tried to go back and look at it again, but the office was locked.”

Sunshine’s eyes widened at this. “You went back to the office? How did you find your way so fast? We’ve only been through that part of the Castle once!”

“I…” Moonlight stopped and bit her lip.

“You memorized the halls, didn’t you?” Sunshine said. “It..It’s okay. Just don’t go telling the others about it.”

Moonlight nodded slowly. “What do you think?” she asked. “About the Trial, I mean.”

Sunshine rested her head against the wall. “Whatever the outcome, it’ll either be the best thing that’s ever happened to us...or the worst thing that’s ever happened to us.”

“...Yeah. That sounds about right.”

“I don’t feel so good,” Pearl moaned.

“Oh, you’re just nervous, Pearl,” Buttercup soothed, rubbing her shoulders from behind. It was afternoon, and the court had called everypony back, for they had finally reached a decision. The Glimmers waited outside of the courtroom, just as before. Except this time, Flurry Heart and her little brother were nowhere to be seen.

“I’m feeling pretty nervous too,” Sapphire said, looking down at her hooves. “No--I'm anxious! If they don’t rule in our favor, they could...they could arrest us and throw us in the dungeon...or banish us!”

“Arrest us?” Prism snorted. “For what? For telling the truth? Please. Even if cutie marked ponies aren’t that blind.” She coughed. “Besides. We’re not even from here. I don’t see how they could banish us.”

“They can banish us from Equestria,” Sunshine pointed out.

A shadow of fear crossed Buttercup’s face. “W-What could be outside of Equestria?”

“No idea.”

Pearl wrapped her hooves around her body and shivered. “Geez, who opened the window?”

“Enough, everypony.” Moonlight cut in, looking aggravated. “Nopony’s going to get banished. The worst case scenario is being charged with treason against the Princesses.”

“And spend all our years in the dungeon,” Sapphire said with the frown. “Or better yet, be sent back to that hole in the mountain we called home. All our lessons and all of our training...for nothing.”

“That won’t happen,” Buttercup said softly, shaking her head. “I know it won’t…”

The girls fell silent. Faint talking could be heard from behind the court doors, but it proved to be quite difficult to try to make anything out. How Moonlight wished she were old enough to be in there with her mother. To cheer her on if she won, to offer comfort and support if she lost. Taking a deep breath, she sat back on the wooden bench.

After a long, agonizing stretch of empty silence, a low rumble came from inside the court, followed by raised voices and the clopping of multiple hooves. Before any of the girls could even move, the court doors burst wide open, and a stream of ponies filed out, shouting and talking all at one. Moonlight shot up from her seat.

Cameras flashed as multiple reporters jotted something down in their notebooks with fury. Moonlight’s sisters crowded around her, almost afraid they would be separated by the chaotic mass. “What happened!?” Pearl screamed over the noise.

“I don’t know!” Moonlight shouted back. Her eyes swept over the room and she bit the inside of her cheek. “Excuse me, sir? Sir! M-Miss, I was wondering--What’s going--who…”

“Get this to the presses, quick!” a stallion with a thick mustache cried, shoving a piece of paper inside of a young pegasus’ mouth. “We wanna be the first newspaper to break this news!” the young pony nodded and swiftly took to the air.

Sapphire let out a frustrated groan and threw her head back. “WHAT’S THE NEWS!?!”

“Didn’t you hear?” an elderly pony said, walking up to them. Seeing their desperate expressions, the mare cracked a smile. “Your mother won.”

“Miss Glimmer,” a thin pony with a long grey beard began, folding his hooves on the table. “It saddens me, the lies of our Princesses. They appeared to be loving and caring rulers for…” His hoof trembled as he paused to scratch at his beard. “Hmm. As long as anypony could remember.”

“But the fact that somepony has finally come forward with this information lightens our hearts all the more,” a mare said in a high, nasally voice.

Starlight Glimmer smiled and bowed her head. “I appreciate your willingness to stand up for what is right,” she replied, humility evident in her voice.

“But now we come at the hardest part,” another pony said, his forehead creasing. “Who will rule Equestria?”

“And what will we do with the Royal Sisters? Where will they go?”

“And what do we do about this new magic?”

“And who’s going to raise the sun and moon?”

Starlight held out her hooves, smiling. “Ponies, ponies!” she said. “I know this new change is a bit frightening...but if it pleases the Diarchy...I have some suggestions on how we go about things from now on.”

Two Weeks Later…

Moonlight walked through Canterlot City as a gust of wind and dust swept through the air. Construction workers surrounded her, taking down the previous shops, homes, and buildings in order to replace them with new ones from the ground up. The sound of hammers, nails and saws occupied the air, accompanied by loud yelling.

A lot had happened since the trial. Starlight Glimmer, surprisingly, didn’t take up the job as a Princess, or Leader, or Mayor. Instead, she had suggested that the citizens of Equestria would ultimately make the decision by casting ballots from each city.

With the exposition of earth pony and pegasi magic, and the promise of equal pay, opportunity, and way of life, two-thirds of Equestria chose her. It was...the most interesting tactic she’d ever seen her mother use. But effective all the same.

Their mother spent countless hours in the Castle conference room to work over the new outlook of Canterlot...and eventually many other places.

Subjects often wondered what became of Celestia and Luna, for the sun and moon still rose at the correct times. Their whereabouts were extremely confidential, for the safety of the Princesses. At least, that’s what the council said. Despite what they had done, Moonlight felt glad they were at least alive and well. Ponies who had taken care of a nation for centuries couldn’t be too awfully punished.

Through it all, Moonlight still couldn't get that picture out of her head. She hadn't spoken about it since her talk with Sunshine, but it never stopped plaguing her mind. The resemblances were just too uncanny to ignore. But ever since her mother stepped up to help Equestria she never had the time to even try to go back to that office. After all...the chances of going back in there without being seen was a very slim one.

Sighing, she continued to walk until she reached a plain but lovely house that wasn’t too far off from the Castle.

The Glimmers were built a brand new home, a house that would soon resemble many others after construction finished. Starlight was pleased to have a nice, humble environment to raise her daughters in. She had yet to deal with Canterlot Castle. After her Inauguration, which would be in seven days, the Castle would serve as a workplace instead of a home. The thought made Moonlight smile. Such a grand palace wouldn’t feel like a home at all...floors that are cold to the touch, tall ceilings, long empty hallways...no, that could never be home to such a close-knit family.

The sun began to dip behind the distant hills, casting shadows along the brick walls as Moonlight approached the wooden door. She knocked twice and waited patiently. She heard the soft sound of hoof steps before the door creaked open, revealing Buttercup. Her sister’s teal eyes brightened. “Hi, Moonlight!” she said happily, stepping aside to let her in. “You’re just in time for supper!”

Moonlight smiled warmly and stepped into the living room. It was a nice, simple little set-up...a long comfy couch with a plain, grey rug and two grey chairs on each side.

A cloak had been tossed on top of the coffee table, causing Moonlight to shake her head. Most likely Prism’s, she mused, levitating the cloak into the air. “Whose turn is it tonight?” she asked.

“Mine,” Sunshine said, walking in from the kitchen, balancing three bowls of rice on her back, and one on her head. She crossed over to the long dining room table, which was right across from the living room. “Saph, can you go tell Prism and Pearl it’s almost time to eat?”

Moonlight jumped at the sound of Sapphire’s voice behind her. “In a bit,” the white unicorn said distractedly. “I’m almost done hanging up these curtains...Moonlight, what do you think? I made them myself!”

Moonlight turned around and walked over to one of the slanted windows on either side of the front door. A thin, grey, and shabby curtain hung from the window, the fading rays of sunlight going half uncovered. “It’s lovely,” Moonlight remarked, impressed.

“Thank you!”

Prism walked in, observing the food on the table. “Is mom coming to eat with us?” she asked.

“Not tonight, I’m afraid,” Buttercup said, looking empathetic. “The council set up another meeting with her, and she won’t be able to make it in time.”

Prism’s ears drooped. “Oh. Okay,” she said dryly.

Moonlight looked at her knowingly and patted her on the shoulder. “It’s only for a little while longer,” she assured. “These things don’t happen overnight, you know. Mom has a big responsibility now. The least we can do is help support her.”

“Pearl!” Sunshine called, placing the last two bowls of rice on the table. “Hurry up before your food gets cold!” After a few seconds, a door closed shut and Pearl slowly entered the room.

Collective gasps filled the air at the sight of the pale and shaking pink pony. “Pearl!” Sapphire exclaimed in horror.

“What the hay happened to you!?” Prism demanded, her voice cracking in panic.

Pearl blinked her bloodshot eyes and yawned. “D...Didn’t get..much sleep last night…” She shivered involuntarily as she took another step forward. “M’fine.”

Moonlight rushed forward, her voice hard. “Pearl, don’t move.”

“But I’m hungryyy,” Pearl groaned stubbornly, closing her eyes and attempting to push Moonlight away.

Moonlight didn’t budge, alarmed at how weak her hooves were. “We’ll get you some food,” she said sternly, grabbing Pearl by the shoulders. “But I need you to sit down, okay?”

Somepony suddenly shrieked. “Pearl, your nose!” Buttercup cried. “It’s bleeding!”

Confused, Pearl wiped at her nose and pulled her hoof back. Instead of pink, it was bright red.

“Oh,” she sniffed. “It’s just the...climate...change…”

Without warning, Pearl’s blue eyes rolled at the back of her head, and she fell limply against Moonlight’s body.

Prism pounded on the door for the umpteenth time, her jaw clenched. “Let me in,” she moaned, pounding even harder. The door flew open, causing the pegasus to stagger back.

“Prism, stop that this instant!” Starlight whispered sharply, peeking out at her.

“What’s going on?” Prism pleaded, growing more than anxious. “It’s been hours!”

Something flickered in Starlight’s eyes when she looked over her shoulder. “The doctors are still working on it,” she murmured. “Don’t worry...they’re top of the line, they can figure out what’s wrong soon.”

“I-Is she alright?”

Starlight’s brow furrowed. “Moonlight! Did I not tell you to keep an eye on your sisters?”

Moonlight rushed up to Prism’s side, panting. “I’m sorry, mom. She just slipped away and--”

“Go and find out if you can get some food for all of you,” Starlight cut in firmly. “I don’t want to see either one of you here until I say so! Understood?”

Moonlight’s head dropped. “Yes, moth--”

The door slammed shut before she could finish the last syllable. She sighed and grabbed Prism by the foreleg. “Come on,” she growled out, yanking her back to their previous guest room in the Castle.

“I didn’t mean to get us in trouble,” Prism said quietly. “I-I’m just worried about Pearl--”

“Don’t you think I’m worried too!?” Moonlight snapped as she pulled the door open and stormed in, much to the alarm of her siblings. Moonlight pushed Prism on one of the beds, fuming. “We’re all worried about Pearl--not just you!”

Sunshine lifted a hoof. “Moonlight--”

“I swear, you are the most selfish and inconsiderate pony I’ve ever met! Ever since we brought her here, all you’ve ever done is STRESS ME OUT!”

Prism shrank back against the blankets and pillows. “M-Moon, I--”

“Ugh! Forget it.” she turned swiftly and went out into the hall. I’m getting food.” She left, ignoring the shock and hurt etched on her sister’s faces.

She stomped down the hall, vaguely memorizing where the royal kitchen was located. “...Can’t believe her, I just can’t,” she muttered under breath. “Doesn’t know what…” She paused, stopping short.

The office. It was right there. Four doors down.

In all the commotion and stress, Moonlight didn’t realize they were in this part of the Castle again. Her mind reverted back to the picture of six mares and swallowed. It was absurd, still thinking about that stupid picture while her little sister was lying sick in bed.

But curiosity was one of Moonlight's strengths...and faults. Her hooves moved without her brain telling them to, and her hoof reached out to touch the doorknob.

It was unlocked.

“....With time quickly running out, and desperation growing with each second, Twilight's own assistant, Spike the Dragon, took the Crystal Heart. With the help of Princess Cadence, he restored light and love in the Crystal Empire. From then on, grateful Crystal subjects referred to him as “Spike the Great and Glorious.”

Moonlight sighed and leaned her head back against the base of the wooden desk. She sat on the floor with the book on her lap. “That’s a bit much,” she murmured to herself. “I know he saved their lives, but that would just feed his ego. The Element Bearers were never called anything like that. A simple thank you would suffice.” She shook her head. “Honestly, that was the only time the dragon ever…”

The words died on her tongue. Dragon...that Dragon! What did Buttercup say back then...he called me...he called me...TWILIGHT! She gasped and peered down at the pages, the gears in her head spinning furiously. How could she have possibly missed that? That can’t be a coincidence...could it?

Half scared and half excited, she skimmed through the pages, hoping to gather some more information. Her eyebrows lifted in surprise when further reading showed that Twilight Sparkle soon became a Princess.

“Hmm. That was sudden,” she whispered. “Let’s see here…”

“....Shortly after Twilight Sparkle ascended to Princess hood, the Summer Sun Celebration was once again at hoof. However, two nights before the Ceremony, the two Royal Princesses suddenly vanished without a trace. The next morning, the citizens were shocked to see both the sun and moon in the sky. Sensing danger, Princess Twilight and her friends set out into the Everfree Forest once more in hopes of saving our beloved Princesses and Equestria. Twilight Sparkle’s assistant, Spike, also tagged along.”

“There’s that Dragon again…” She skimmed further.

“Princesses went missing, vines started going haywire, yadda yadda...ah. In order to save the dying Tree of Harmony from Discord’s plunderseeds, Twilight and her friends had to give up the Elements of Harmony and return them to the Tree of Harmony, restoring its powerful magic and giving new life to the forest….”

She lifted her head. “Tree of Harmony, huh?” She stood up and circled around the wooden desk. After studying it, she pulled out a few desk drawers until she found a drawer filled with rolled-up maps. A smile crossed her face. “Aha.”

Carefully, she rummaged through the maps. Perhaps Twilight Sparkle was a relative of her mother’s. That would explain the resemblance, and that would explain why that Dragon mistook her for Princess Twilight. But if that were the case, wouldn’t the rest of Twilight’s friends be relatives too? And if they somehow were, why would Starlight keep that a secret? Moonlight never knew of her other family; her father abandoned them when they were just babies, leaving their mother to fend for herself.

Her grandparents had died long before she and her sisters were born. But what if she had cousins? Uncles? Aunts? Perhaps even nieces and nephews? She paused and laughed at the thought. Now she was getting ahead of herself. She was pretty sure none of her sisters were pregnant. But there were other possibilities to explore.

She unrolled another parchment and broke out into a grin. The Map of Equestria. And the Everfree Forest wasn’t that far away.

“You want to WHAT!?” Sunshine shouted, her eyes bulging out of her head.

“Shh!” Moonlight whispered. She looked back at the guest room where her sisters were still talking and guided Sunshine further away. “I need you to cover for me...just for a few hours.”

“A few hours!” Sunshine repeated. “Are you out of your mind? You wanna go to the forest of Never Bean--”

“Everfree.”

“--Just because a group of ponies put jewelry back inside a tree!?”

“These weren’t just any ponies,” Moonlight murmured, fastening her cloak and strapping on a spare saddlebag. “It’s only a little bit far. I have a map and snacks and everything. I just can’t shake this feeling, Sunshine. I don’t know why, and it looks silly, but...I just..need to know about some things.”

Sunshine stared at Moonlight for a good long minute before breathing out a tired sigh. “....Fine. But you hurry up and come right back!”

Moonlight squealed and threw her hooves around her sister. “I love you.”

Sunshine squeezed tightly and gave her sister a gentle nuzzle. “I love you too.” Shortly after breaking apart, Moonlight opened her saddlebag and pulled out an assortment of towels tied together and trotted over to a nearby window with a grin.

“Now come help lower me down!”

“She really did think of everything,” Sunshine mused to herself, walking forward.

Train stations were interesting. No matter what time of day...or night it was, there would always be a large crowd at the station; travelers, family, friends, conductors shouting at their crew...lots of strange animals too.

A little brown animal with a big bushy tail scurried in between her hooves. Her tail wagged as she circled around her legs, sniffing at them. Moonlight pulled her hood down further over her head and waved a hoof. “Shoo. Shoo now, go away! Shoo!”

“Peanut! Here, girl! Where are ya, Peanut?”

The animal made a happy sound and scampered away, and Moonlight breathed a sigh of relief. She redirected her gaze toward the train, and the ponies coming abord. The cunductor was accepting tickets.

Moonlight didn’t have a ticket.

Looking around, she chewed on her lip, thinking about what to do. That was when her eyes came across something that made her smile mischievously.

*****

Moonlight held on tightly to the back of the train, admiring the beautiful scenery that flashed by, the pale moon illuminating the sky with its brilliance. Though her forelegs ached, felt like she was flying through the air, and it made her feel...it was exhilarating. The back of her cloak jerked violently in the wind behind her, and her hood had blown off her head, but it didn’t matter. Nopony could see her, and It wasn’t as cold as most nights.

She raised her head a bit higher. The Everfree forest was fast approaching. “Oh...” She cast a wary glance at the tracks below, wishing the train would slow down, even if it was just a little.

Gritting her teeth, she nodded to herself. “Okay, Moonlight. You can do this...you can do this…” Inhaling sharply, she let go and jumped as far to the right as possible, onto the tracks. The wind was immediately knocked out of her, and a dull, sharp pain assaulted her side; her cry was drowned out by the piercing train whistle. She lay there, breathing hard as she watched the train grow smaller and smaller in the distance.

Moonlight clutched at her shoulder and slowly sat up, wincing at the sharp pricks of pain shooting through he muscles. “Ah..hah...mm.” Grunting, she forced herself to stand up, her hooves wobbling beneath her. After a few hobbles, Moonlight slowly made her way off the tracks and walked toward the forest.

“I passed that tree,” Moonlight mumbled, turning around and going down another path. She had been wandering through the forest for some time now. She thanked heaven above that she had thought to bring a loaf of bread with her. Every few steps, she broke off a piece and dropped it, so that she could easily find her way back. She just hoped there weren't any hungry wild animals skulking about.

As she ventured deeper into the forest, she looked up and smiled at the millions and billions of stars decorating the sky. To her, stars were the most beautiful things in the world. Similar, united...each and every one of them had a part to play. Silent and sure...keeping watch in the night.

Her ears perked up. A low hum broke the silence. Her heartbeat accelerating, Moonlight followed the gentle hum. The louder the hum grew, the faster she trotted. Pulling apart a few bushes, a loud gasp left her mouth. She had come across a beautiful cave with glowing purple diamonds embedded in the cave walls. Smooth green rocks surrounded her, resembling lily pads on a spring day.

But that wasn’t what grabbed her attention.

At the center of the cave stood a tall and gorgeous tree. It glowed with deep blues and purples with white diamonds showering from each of its branches. ”My goodness,” Moonlight breathed out as she neared the stunning tree. “I’ve never seen anything like you before…” Her eyes traveled down the trunk; a sun and moon had been carved near the base. Her gaze wandered back up to the branches. Each one had a colorful symbol; a blue balloon and a pink butterfly on the left...a purple diamond and an orange apple on the right...a red lightning bolt at the top...and a violet star in the middle.

Moonlight came closer, her eyes filled with wonder. “Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty…” Her hoof reached out for the element in the middle. “And you must be Twilight’s...you must be Magic…”

Her hoof came in contact with the element.

“The fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends!”

“You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the... the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: the element of... MAGIC!”

“We were home. You told me you didn't need me anymore. You were sending me away…”

“A fear that will never come to pass. I'm never gonna send you away. And I'm not gonna fail my test!”

“From all of us together, together we are friends, with the marks of our destinies made one, there is magic without end!"

"You may be my primary target, Twilight Sparkle, but your friends deserve every bit of punishment you’re going to get, including Applejack.”

Twilight stepped back and unconsciously raised a protective wing in front of Applejack. “…Punishment?”

The aura from Starlight’s horn grew brighter. “If you had no problem taking everything I’ve worked for away from me,” Starlight said with a dark smile, “Then you shouldn’t have a problem spending your lives helping me restore it.”

Twilight cried out as she hit the ground, gasping. Her eyes grew wide as she looked around at her surroundings. Slowly, she lifted a shaky hoof and stared at it. Her chest began to heave, and she began to utter strange sounds as her mouth hung open, as if she were about to scream.

“Ah-A-aaah...”

Her eyes bright with unshed tears, she collapsed completely onto the ground.

A loud, agonized wail carried above the trees, startling the birds into taking flight.

Author's Note

THE END.

I'm kidding. :derpytongue2:

This took longer than I thought, but that's okay. Tired as I am, I'm glad this got finished.

Chapter 14 - Same as it Never Was

Spike’s gaze remained on the hard, prickly grass as the stinging rain continued to shower over the crowd. A green pegasus with a messy golden bun on top of his head was choking out his words as he slumped over the podium, tears streaming out of his bloodshot eyes. The Wonderbolts stood at attention at his right, their faces stoic, but heartbreak was clear in their eyes.

Spike was barely listening. He glanced beside him and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the arms of their families. They had only recently began their teenage years. Sweetie Belle was staring silently ahead, her face slightly swollen. Scootaloo had her face buried in her father’s chest, her body quivering and shaking.

Big Macintosh sat with his head bowed low, his drenched mane covering his eyes. Granny Smith was smiling and knitting, humming an absent tune to herself. Apple Bloom sat in between them, clutching Applejack’s hat in her hooves, holding it tight to her chest.

Fluttershy’s animal friends were scattered throughout the crowd; Birds were perched up in the trees and small critters were standing between evrerypony's hooves. One bunny in particular was sitting in the damp grass with his ears almost touching the ground.

After he finished, Fluttershy’s brother was finally led away from the podium by his tearful parents, speaking in quiet, comforting voices. Seeing that the last of the family members have spoken, Luna stepped up to the podium. Princess Celestia stood to her left, her mane falling over one eye. Still, distant, and numb.

Luna turned to face the hundreds and thousands of funeral goers of all species that had gathered here on the outskirts of Ponyville.

She sighed.

********

At the reception, Spike reached out and pulled the steaming cup of hot coco toward himself with a sad stare. SugarCube Corner was completely packed, with several citizens of Ponyville taking the orders of those who attended the funeral, giving the heartbroken Cakes a much needed rest.

The crowd was so large, the other customers had to sit outside the bakery, spreading out over the cobblestone road. The skies were dark, and the air was cold, but nopony seemed to mind it.

Spike's green eyes flicked to the ponies sitting around him. Cadence was speaking softly to Twilight’s mother, who looked utterly grief stricken.

“My baby,” she said simply, shaking her head. “My baby’s gone.”

Somewhere in the bakery, Pumpkin and Pound Cake were both involved in a loud game of tag with Princess Flurry Heart. “Tag, you’re it!” Pumpkin grinned, scrambling behind the counter.

Flurry followed, sticking her tongue out and teleported over to Pound, poked his side, and teleported away, declaring, “You’re it!”

“Aww, no fair,” Pound groaned, flying up into the air, searching for the girls. “I’m always it!”

Across the table, Marble Pie stared down at her untouched food while Coco Pommel was absently moving a fork around on the table.

Suddenly, Spike felt somepony touch his shoulder. The young Dragon looked up to see Princess Luna behind him.“Do you mind if we talk for a bit?” she whispered.

Spike nodded slowly and pushed back his chair before following the Princess to the back room, where they found Zecora and a sniffling Babs Seed in a conversation. “Beg pardon your majesty. We were just about to leave,” Zecora said, bowing her head.

“Oh, no, It’s quite alright,” Luna said kindly. “We will find another place to--”

“No,” Babs sniffled, brushing a lock of hair away. “No need, Y’majesty. We’re about done here.” She looked up at Zecora with a tearful smile. “Thank for everythin’ Miss Zecora.”

“Anytime you need comfort dear,” Zecora replied warmly as they began to exit the room. “Come and visit me, I will be here.”

As soon as they left, Princess Luna turned to Spike. “I suppose I do not have to ask how you’re doing,” she said with a sad smile.

Spike briefly returned the smile before it faded away. “I miss her.” He glanced down at the floor, feeling his eyes gloss over. “I spent my whole life with her...one minute she’s here, and the next...she’s just...gone.” Drops of water hit the wooden floor.

“So many things I never got to say to her. I...never told her how much I lo--” His voice broke. “--love her. N-Now I won’t ever get a chance.” He hiccuped. “She’s gone. All my friends are g--gone.”

A hoof cradled his chin and gently guided it up, causing him to look into Luna’s soft eyes. “Not all of your friends.” She wiped his tears away and materialized a tissue out of thin air with her horn.

“I’ve been thinking about how you’ve been getting on with the Sparkle family since Twilight’s disappearance,” she said as Spike accepted the tissue and blew his nose. “After they moved to Ponyville, they seemed better off confiding in other friends and family during the past few years. But how have you been handling things, Spike?”

The Dragon coughed. “It’s alright. Although the town ponies are always nice to me, I’ve been spending all my time with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They know what it really feels like, you know? But…” He trailed off with a broken sigh.

Luna nodded. “I’ve..been discussing with Twilight’s parents. Sooner or later, you will grow up to be a full grown Dragon.”

Spike glanced up.

“And you’ve already grown so much already.” She gestured to his newly grown wings. “Forgive me for being blunt, Spike. But as much as you adore the town...and the town adores you...I think we both know that Ponyville is no place for a Dragon to grow up.

“That’s why,” Luna continued. “I’m offering you a place...with me.”

Spike lifted his eyebrows. “H-Huh?”

The Princess smiled. “If you’ll have me, Spike, I wish to take care of you, and help you spread your wings. We might not know each other much...but I wish to change that. I would do my very best to make sure that you are happy. You could even visit your friends anytime you would like.

"You deserve so much more, young Spike. If...and only if you accept...I will personally take you under my wing for as long as we both shall live.”

Spike broke out into a series of gasps and sobs as he threw his arms around Luna’s neck and buried his face into her chest plate. He couldn’t find the words to speak, but he managed an enthusiastic nod. Luna held him close and closed her eyes. “You live your life to the fullest, Spike,” she whispered fiercely. “Do not lose yourself to grief. Always fill your heart with love and joy. It's what Twilight would have wanted.”

“Spike,” Twilight gasped out, trembling all over. Her breaths were ragged and quick, her heart thumping uncontrollably. “Spike...oh, Spike!” She rolled over on her back, staring up into the roof of the cave, her eyes wide. “Shining...Cadence…” She lay there panting, all of the names and faces she once knew flashing before her eyes.

Small beads of sweat and tears rolled down her face. She squeezed her eyes shut tight and firmly pressed a hoof against her mouth, tremors of grief coursing through her body.

She remembered. She remembered everything.

The night of the storm, her friends turned into foals, Starlight Glimmer’s spell…Her breath hitched.

Starlight.

Moaning out, she flipped over and pounded the floor of the cave with a hoof. “Why!” she screamed as she began to sob. “W-Why...h-how could you…”

The crushing feeling of sorrow stole her breath away as she broke down completely, burying her face into the ground. Images of her old life began appearing in her mind one by one, each one sending a horrible stab of pain through Twilight’s heart.

Moments that she treasured, the friends she had made, the family she loved with all her being...it all seemed like a distant memory. Twilight let out a few voice-cracked shouts as she continued to weep. Crickets chirped and an Owl hooted in the distance. Twilight tried to think back to Starlight’s motherly smile, but the only emotion she felt was pain.

The moon in the dark night sky gradually passed overhead as time seemed to stretch. Twilight’s wailing had eventually faded into quiet sobs with the occasional sniffle. Her breathing gradually slowed, becoming almost feather-light. It took a long while before the unicorn fell silent with the sole exception of a few hiccups here and there.

She remained on the ground, utterly exhausted...both mentally and physically. She sniffled and closed her bloodshot eyes, only for them to pop back open again. “My sis--” A painful shudder went through her. “My friends…”

She struggled to get up, awkwardly slipping and stumbling on her hooves. She turned to the Tree of Harmony with a look of slight desperation. She had to get to her friends. She had to warn them.

Quickly as she could, she ran over the saddlebag she had dropped and rushed over to the tree. With a shaky hoof, she removed her element from the tree’s center. It felt light and almost cool, but glowed brilliantly at the touch of her hoof.

Twilight stared at it numbly as its warm pink glow reflected off her tear-strained features. She carefully placed it in her saddlebag and promptly moved on to the others, her brow furrowed. Using her levitation, Twilight collected the rest of the elements of harmony and placed them safely inside her saddlebag. The tree’s majestic glow dimmed considerably after the last element was removed, but it didn’t look as sick as it was before.

But this was the least of her concerns. Not bothering to look back, Twilight turned and galloped through the Everfree with one purpose in mind. She had to get her friends back. She may be lost to most, but there were still five other ponies who depended upon her.

Twilight suddenly stopped in her tracks and let out a loud whimper when the image of her niece presented itself in her mind. So grown up, so beautiful…”Oh, Flurry,” she choked, gritting her teeth.

And the little white colt. A nephew… she had a nephew...

Twilight shook her head, mentally pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind. Not now, she thought as she resumed her galloping.

My sis...my friends need me.

Sunshine tapped her hoof on the floor impatiently. She glanced toward the door, which she left cracked open. “Where is she?” she whispered to herself irritably. She glanced at her sisters with a wary eye. Buttercup was tossing and turning in her sleep while Sapphire slept with a unnerving frown on her face. Sunshine couldn’t tell if Prism was sleeping or not with her back turned, but she was still.

It wasn’t too awful late at night, but thanks to recent events, Sunshine felt like she had just pulled an all-nighter.

She sighed and paced around the room again. Their mother had been away for hours, which was both a positive and a negative. On one hoof, their mother had no knowledge of Moonlight’s absence. But on the other hoof, the long hours in the royal infirmary only indicated Pearl’s illness was much worse than she had feared. That was a huge negative. Sunshine almost wanted to curse at Moonlight for leaving them when the needed her most. Especially her. She needed her big time.

After a few more moments of pacing, Sunshine decided to go back out into the hall and return to the window. Unbeknownst to her, Prism started coughing roughly.

When Sunshine peered outside, It only disheartened her further when she saw that there were no signs of her sister coming back.

She leaned her upper body on the windowsill, her heart clenching with unease. If anything happened to Moonlight out there, she’d never forgive herself.

I never should have agreed to that stupid plan of hers in the first place.

“E-Excuse me?”

Sunshine jumped and whirled around with wide eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry, honey! I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Sunshine brought a hoof to her chest and exhaled with a smile. “Oh...no, no it’s alright. I didn’t see you there.”

A unicorn stepped further into the moonlight that crept in through the open window. The silk violet scarf wrapped around her neck shimmered with every movement. Sunshine’s ears flicked in recognition. It was the nice mare she had seen during the trial. She looked to be around her mother's age.

She smiled kindly, the moon above reflecting off her glasses. “What brings you out here so late at night?”

Sunshine tilted her head, cocking an eyebrow. “What brings you out here?” After a moment, her ears folded back. “M-Ma’am,” she added quickly.

The mare chuckled good-naturedly. “Fair question. I only came back to collect a few of Princess Flurry and Prince White Charger’s belongings,” she replied. Sunshine glanced at the mare’s saddlebags, filled with books and toys. “They used to visit here regularly on weekends. Their family is...going through a rough time right now,” she sighed. “So I decided to save them some trouble. I’m afraid I will not be returning.”

Sunshine felt a twinge of sadness upon the mare’s somber expression. She wondered how such a nice mare got stuck watching over somepony as rude as Flurry Heart. “My name is Sunset,” the mare said warmly.

“I’m Sunshine,” the filly replied, almost sounding shy. “I was just...uh...stargazing.”

Sunset glanced up briefly and nodded. “It is a beautiful night tonight, isn’t it? But it’s...rather odd. It’s so quiet in the Castle.” She frowned in slight puzzlement. “It’s usually not this quiet until at least two in the morning. I suppose your mother’s a bit less flexible when it comes to curfew.”

“Well...most times she is. But there’s a reason why it’s so quiet tonight." Sunshine lowered her head. “My sister, she’s sick. Her nose was bleeding this afternoon and...and then she started shivering…” Her eyes started to gloss. “A-And then she just..passed out. M-My mother’s been in the infirmary room with her for hours.”

Sunset’s eyes grew alert. “Sunshine, did they move the infirmary at all during the past few weeks?”

“I...I don’t think so. Why?”

Starlight sat by Pearl’s bedside, clutching her small pink hoof in hers. Pearl’s breathing went rigid each time she inhaled. Eyes shut, she trembled and shivered relentlessly. Starlight wiped away the small beads of sweat that collected at her daughter’s forehead with a handkerchief encased in her blue aura.

A small grunt came from inside Pearl’s throat.

The infirmary was large by size, the walls painted a sophisticated shade of blue with golden embroidery. There were also two rows of comfortable looking beds with blue-grey sheets and pillows lined up on both sides.

Starlight hadn’t even touched this room yet. And she was glad that she hadn’t.

Pearl let out a deep, raspy gasp before coughing, sending a wave of dread over Starlight.

She glanced up at the handful of Royal Doctors and Nurses conversing with each other, their lips moving fervently. Some scratched their heads while others looked downright frustrated. Starlight felt her eyes blur, feeling her heartbeat speed up.

A shadow passed over her. “Miss Starlight?” a soft voice asked.

The unicorn blinked her eyes rapidly and exhaled, turning her head. “Yes, Nu…” she stopped short when she saw another mare with sharp cerulean eyes standing beside one of the Nurses. “Who are you? And who let you in?”

Nurse Lily, a small earth pony with a bright blue mane and green eyes fidgeted. “M-Miss Starlight, this is the Royal Governess of the little Prince and Princess from the New Crystal Empire.”

Starlight’s forehead creased.

“S-She’s also very good at magic,” Lily added quickly.

“I think I may be able to see what’s wrong with your daughter,” Sunset said with earnest. “I know we aren’t familiar with each other at all, but please, at least let me have a look at her.”

Starlight stared into her eyes for a short moment. Without a word, she stood up from her chair and gave a slight nod toward her daughter.

A smile spread across Sunset’s face and Nurse Lily touched her shoulder with a relieved grin. “Let me know if you need anything,” she whispered before trotting off. Sunset circled around Pearl’s bed, approaching her from the left side. She hummed in a low voice upon looking at the child’s current state.

Her blonde mane was matted with sweat and her pale white coat looked flushed under the dimmed lights in the ceiling. It disheartened the Governess to see the filly in such a condition. The last time she saw her, she was brimming with energy, so cheerful and bubbly, even during the grim times of the Trial.

Sunset touched a hoof on Pearl’s forehead, causing the filly’s violet colored eyes to crack halfway open. “....cold…” she croaked, her eyes darting around. “So cold...so cold…”

“Shhh,” Sunset whispered, stroking the filly’s mane. “It’s going to be alright.” Pearl’s bleary eyes trailed up to Sunset.

“I love the rain,” she breathed softly, turning her head. “...all the pretty puddles...” Her eyes flickered shut, muttering nonsensical sentences.

“She’s been talking nonsense for hours,” Starlight murmured.

Sunset’s horn lit up, her eyes closing in concentration. She felt for Pearl’s forehead and pressed down gently. The doctors and nurses in the room suddenly took notice of the unicorn and uttered shouts of alarm and warning, but Starlight quickly stopped them with a hoof and a commanding tone. “Let her work.”

The group of ponies were silenced immediately and exchanged worried glances as Sunset’s bright aura increased. A low humming sound filled the room. Starlight glanced at her daughter, engulfed in light. “What is this?”

Sunset’s eyes remained closed. “Something I picked up from my old teacher." After a few moments, Sunset let out a long exhale as her magic died down. She opened her fatigue filled eyes and turned towards Starlight with a frown.

Feeling her heart skip a beat, Starlight spoke loud enough so that the medical staff could hear.

“Please excuse us.”

Reluctantly, the group of ponies began to trail out of the room with worried and confused expressions. As soon as the door creaked shut, Sunset spoke. “It’s sort of what I thought it would be,” she said, her gaze shifting to Pearl. “She has some type of magical build up. I-It’s a combination of...foreign magic that’s in her system that her body isn’t...used to.”

Starlight frowned. “But her body is perfectly used to her talents! She’s been practicing since she was fifteen!”

Sunset bit the corner of her lip, choosing her next words carefully. “She may have been at it for a long time now,” she said gently. “But...in the long run, she’s still...an earth pony. She can’t have the magic of a unicorn, or the flight of a pegasus, because she isn’t meant to. Her body can't take much more. I know you want everypony to have equal abilities...stars, I’d like that too. But the fact is--”

“But this could just be some sort of side effect,” Starlight reasoned, shaking her head. “She’s done so well, and she’s able to control what she does and...she’s so happy when she and her sisters get to enjoy the same activities.” Her voice rose with every word. “I want them to feel like they belong!”

“It’s killing her,” Sunset said with an edge of sharpness. “And if we don’t find out how to reverse this magic, it’s going to end up killing all of your daughters.”

Starlight took an involuntary step back. After a long pause, her gaze shifted from Sunset to Pearl. “W-Well, I...I have some books,” she finally said. “I never thought of withdrawing this magic from my girls, but...I’m always prepared.”

Sunset nodded. “Good. Once you find the cure, we’ll need to do this as quickly as possible.”

Starlight glanced down at Pearl and nuzzled her warm cheek against her own. “There’s nothing I won’t give for her,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “I’ll do what needs to be done.” After a moment, she stood upright. “Would you mind staying with her while I retrieve some of my books?”

“Not at all,” Sunset replied, stroking Pearl’s foreleg. “I’ll keep her safe.”

With a thankful nod, Starlight left the room and trotted through the castle, her mind buzzing. She didn’t know what was happening or why, but she knew she had to get control of it, and fast.

As she rounded the corner leading up to her room, she stopped short at a small figure climbing in through the window at the end of the hall. Starlight opened her mouth to scream, but it quickly died in her throat when she saw who it was.

“Moonlight!?” she said incredulously, marching forward. The young filly dropped to the floor and stood upright at the sound of Starlight’s voice. Her mane was a complete mess and her hooves were covered with dirt and scratches, with several tears at the end of her grey cloak.

“Young lady--”

The purple unicorn turned to look at her.

Starlight stumbled to a halt.

She had seen Moonlight give her tons of looks.

Many had ranged from looks of excitement and relief to confusion and sadness. Most were looks of affection, and ones of love.

But this look...this look was a frightening mix of grief, anger, and despair.

It was a look that Starlight had only seen in one of her darkest nightmares.

Before Starlight could even begin to think, Moonlight spoke in a low, raspy voice. “Don’t young lady me.”

A cold sensation stabbed its way through Starlight’s heart, and her knees almost buckled. She swallowed weakly, now knowing that this was not Moonlight Glimmer she was looking at. Not anymore.

She knows.

Author's Note

*Collapses on the floor.*

DONE. :pinkiecrazy:

Chapter 15 - Confrontation

“Moonlight….I…”

Starlight barely had the time to turn her head as a blast of magic grazed her cheek. She cried out sharply as she reeled back.

“Don’t you dare call me that!” Twilight shouted, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “Where’s Spike? What did you do with him?”

“You have to understand--”

“What about the Princesses? What did you do with them?” Another blast of magic shot out from Twilight’s horn, but this time Starlight was more prepared. She quickly conjured a protective barrier in the form of a blue shield, deflecting Twilight’s attacks. “Or did you turn them into foals too!?”

Twilight lunged forward and sent multiple attacks at Starlight, bright beams of violet shooting through the darkness. Starlight grunted, springing back and forth in attempt to defend herself. Dodging Twilight’s magic, she took off down the hallway with her attacker not far behind. “Don’t run from me!”

Gritting her teeth, Starlight spun around and focused on strengthening her shield. Beads started to form under Twilight’s disheveled bangs as she tried with all her might to destroy Starlight’s barrier. Her breathing grew heavy and her eyes burned with pure hatred and frustration as she delivered blow after blow.

“You’re not the alicorn you once were, Twilight,” Starlight said, glaring at the smaller unicorn through her shield as she deflected another spell.

“Your magic is weaker. Stop this and I’ll explain!”

“There’s nothing to explain!” Twilight yelled, her energy slowly seeping out of her.

“Moonlight!”

Two pairs of eyes flicked momentarily as Sunshine skidded in between the two unicorns. Multiple heads popped out behind one of the door frames, accompanied by confused-filled mumbles. Sunshine looked back and forth between her sister and mother, almost at a loss for words. “Whats going on?” She turned to Twilight, her eyes burning bright with accusation. “What are you doing!?”

“Applejack, move!” Twilight yelled, not taking her eyes off Starlight.

“...What? Appleja--” Her sentence trailed off, her face flooding with realization and disbelief. “Oh, for Heaven’s sake, Moonlight! Have you lost your mind? They’re just mares from a book!”

“No they’re not!” Twilight half sobbed, regarding Sunshine fully. She choked at the sight of her friend’s appearance. It was like seeing through opened eyes again. Sunshine’s expression immediately softened considerably at the sight of her sister’s heartbreak. “Moonlight, what…”

“Just look!” Twilight threw her saddle back off her back, causing it to topple onto its side. Numerous jewels spilled out, each one a different shape and color. Starlight couldn’t hold back her gasp.

Multiple eyes fell on the jewels. Sapphire stepped out from the guest room with wide eyes. “Moonlight, what’s wrong with you? What are those?”

“And where did you get them?” Buttercup breathed. Prism was the last one to walk out, looking unnaturally pale. She looked between Twilight and Starlight and frowned.

“Girls, don’t go near those! They’re dangerous!” Starlight shouted behind her shield. She tried to use her levitation to grab the elements and pull them towards her, but Twilight managed to block Starlight’s magic and fire at her once more. Starlight and the shield staggered backward, cursing in a low growl.

“Don’t you dare,” Twilight hissed.

The four girls looked on in confusion and horror. “What's going on!?!” Buttercup exclaimed. “Stop it! Please!” but neither unicorn complied.

“Girls,” Starlight panted, her eyes flickering to them, almost pleading. “Your sister hit her head, she’s not well!” In the blink of an eye, she teleported behind Twilight and knelt down to snatch the elements, but Twilight proved to be just as fast and slammed into Starlight’s side headfirst.

The others gasped and shouted as their mother and sister slid across the floor.

“Girls, you have to trust me!” Twilight said before yelping as Starlight pinned her to the floor. Twilight squirmed for a few moments before kicking one of her hind legs into Starlight’s abdomen. Starlight released a deep, short gasp while Twilight rolled out from underneath her. “You need to touch the elements! I’d never do anything to hurt you!”

Starlight scowled and gripped Twilight’s tail with her magic. “Be quiet,” she growled, dragging Twilight backwards across the floor.

Twilight struggled and twisted her head around to face Starlight. “You owe them!”

“I don’t owe you anything,” Starlight hissed, encasing Twilight’s whole body in her aura. “You owe me everything!”

Twilight rose into the air, wriggling and squirming. “I can still be your mother, Twilight,” Starlight whispered, her eyes growing large. “I...I loved you, fed you, cared for you when you were sick and comforted you when you were frightened.” She paused as her breaths came out faster. “Everything I’ve taught you, everything we’ve been through...why would you throw that all away? And for what? Everything you’ve ever needed is right here!” She smiled faintly. “We can still be a family.”

There was a silence. Then, with a few tears slipping down her cheek, Twilight croaked, “I’d rather die.”

Starlight gasped quietly. Twilight couldn’t see Starlight’s expression, or anything else, for her vision was blurring with tears.

Then came a quiet, “Very well.”

Instantly, Twilight began to feel a harsh pressure on her brain. “Ah!” she clutched her head between her hooves, her eyes shut tight and her teeth clenched. “What are you doing?”

Prism rushed forward. “Mom!?”

“You’re hurting her!” Buttercup shouted, horrified.

“It’ll be okay my starlings,” Starlight murmured, her forehead creasing in concentration. “It’s for her own good.”

Twilight’s eyes snapped open. “You wouldn’t!” She thrashed around as the pressure on her skull hardened. “Stop! Please!” Her frantic eyes flew Sunshine. “Applejack! She’s taking my memories! Please lis--AHHH!”

Sunshine trembled. “Moonlight! I...I--!”

“It’s alright Sunshine!” Starlight shouted. “Don’t be afraid!”

“Applejack!” Twilight wailed as tendrils of bright blue magic began seeping into Twilight’s head. “You know I’d never lie to you!”

Sunshine suddenly jerked. After a few tense moments, Sunshine looked down at the jewels and blinked. Quicker than a wing beat, she dashed forward.

“S-Sunhine,” Sapphire called out with an edge of uncertainty. “What are you doing?” As Sunshine continued on, Sapphire's head whipped back and forth between the rest of her gaping siblings. “What do we do? Should we do something!?”

Buttercup and Prism looked too dazed to answer.

Sunshine’s shadow loomed over the scattered gems, the orange gem shaped like an apple shining brightly in the dark.

“Sunshine no!” Starlight shrieked. She struggled to levitate the elements, but all her magic was solely focused on Twilight. She quickly inched over sideways. “Sunshine don’t touch those, they’re--”

Sunshine looked Starlight square in the eye. Her hoof lowered. “I trust you, Moonlight….” she whispered.

“SUNSHINE N--”

But Starlight was too late. Sunshine’s eyes shone white, eliciting a few cries and shouts.

“Sunshine!” Prism shouted, running to to her sibling. After a few seconds, Sunshine exhaled sharply as the brightness dimmed down, and her forest green irises reappeared.

Her head snapped up.

Prism lifted a shaky hoof and started to place it on her sister’s shoulder. “S-Sunshi--”

With a pained roar, Applejack charged at Starlight and knocked into her, causing Twilight to fall out of the air in the process. Starlight cried out in pain as her body was slammed into a wall, leaving cracks in it. She weakly flopped onto the floor with a groan.

“You…”

Starlight looked up and couldn’t help but cower in Applejack’s shadow as she towered over her. She was still small, but the amount of pain and hatred in Applejack’s smoldering gaze made her shrink back like prey hiding from its predator. Her lips pulled back in a fearful snarl, and her muscles trembled uncontrollably.

“You!”

Starlight screamed as Applejack’s hooves descended on her. She whimpered softly, her eyes squeezed shut.

But the pain never came. “Wha--”

“What’s going on here!?” Sunset yelled, her aura freezing Applejack’s hooves in place. She trotted into the room and looked around at the damage. “What in Equestri--” Her breath hitched in her throat. “A….Apple...” She shook her head and her breathing growing shaky. She stepped back as Applejack turned her head, panting heavily. “But...no, that...that can’t…”

Sunset’s eyes darted over to the others, just in time to see Rarity collapse onto the floor with a wail. A purple diamond lay in front of her. “It can’t be…” A purple unicorn hugged her from behind, crying softly. “Celestia...oh, Celestia!” Starlight quickly slid out from Applejack and bolted down the hall. The farm pony yelled and screamed at her, kicking her hooves with force.

Twilight rose her head and met her eyes. “Sunset!”

Sunset Shimmer’s eyes rolled up as she collapsed, releasing her hold on Applejack.

“That monster!” Rarity sobbed, rocking back and forth. She shook her head over and over, her purple locks falling over her face. “I’ll never forgive her...never...never…”

Applejack shot down the hallway after Starlight. “Applejack, wait!” Twilight called. She looked down at Rarity and hugged her tightly. “Rarity...I know. I know. I’m so sorry. Rarity, I need your help in curing the others. Rarity please, I need you!” She let out a strangled sob.

Rarity continued to weep, but managed a weak nod.

Twilight glanced at over at Buttercup, who was holding Prism upright. The yellow pegasus watched her with large, confused eyes. "Moonlight..."

“I’m sorry,” Twilight whispered, choking on her words. “For everything.” She turned away and raced after Applejack with Buttercup calling out her old name.

“Where is she,” Applejack growled, charging through the castle, occasionally barging into different rooms Starlight could be hiding in. “I know you’re here! Come out and face me!”

Only silence answered back.

"What's the matter? Can't bare to face me when I'm not your little filly anymore?!"

She waited, taking in gulps of breath.

“Coward. Filthy good for nothin’ COWARD!” she hollered to the darkness.

“Applejack!”

Said mare turned to see Twilight’s silhouette galloping toward her. “Applejack wait!”

“I can’t find her,” Applejack panted, shaking her head.

“We still have to find Pinkie,” Twilight said shakily. “She’s still in the infirmary!”

Applejack’s pupils shrunk, and she broke out into cold sweat. “Oh Heavens,” she said faintly. The two mares quickly raced down the long corridors of Canterlot Castle. When they finally reached the infirmary, they found the door left wide open.

Hearts thumping, Twilight and Applejack rushed inside, only to skid to a halt in the entryway. Far across the room, Starlight was near and open window with a small pink pony draped across her back. The two of them gasped, but Starlight only glanced at them. “How nice,” she commented, her voice hollow. A rueful smile crossed her face. “Just like the old days...isn’t it?”

She looked back at Pearl, who was unconscious but shivering, small beads of sweat gathering at her forehead.

“Give it up, Starlight!” Applejack said. “Twilight broke your spell and soon everypony’s gonna find out about you. Put Pinkie Pie down and at least have the decency to turn yourself in. IT’S OVER.”

Starlight went quiet. “So quick. So quick, how you turn on me.” She looked at Twilight. “I gave you more love then Celestia ever could. Fluttershy’s never been bullied her entire life with me!”

“Rarity was never this close to your family. Rainbow Dash was always alone, and Applejack...Applejack, didn’t you ever wish you had a mother?”

Applejack set her jaw and fixed Starlight with an icy stare. “My Ma’s been gone a long time. I admit it... I wish I still had her around. But when she was more than--” her voice wavered a little. “More of a Ma in nine years of my life than you could ever be in eighteen!”

Starlight blanched. She looked at the stony faces that were once her daughters and swallowed hard. Twilight and Applejack stepped forward, but let out a sharp cry of warning.

“STOP!”

Before anypony could react, Starlight levitated Pearl off of her back and held her outside the window.

The two young mares stood in shock as their friend floated limply in the night sky. Starlight’s blue eyes were sharp. “Touch me and I drop her,” she said. “Go ahead. Try it.” Her eyes began to water. “Get your revenge!”

Neither pony moved an inch. Starlight burst out laughing, shaking her head. “Oh stars. What’s the point? I’ll be killed either way. The question is, by whom? You...the Guards...the Princesses….your families...maybe even random strangers when the word gets out.”

Pearl rose higher into the air. Her voice trembled. “All I ever wanted was to make Equestria a better place... "

“Starlight,” Applejack said slowly. “Don’t do this...not her. For Heaven’s sake, not her…”

Alert voices echoed through the halls.

“Not a sound,” said Starlight.

“Twilight,” Applejack said.

“It’s alright, Applejack,” Twilight said, finally speaking. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Starlight. “She won’t hurt Pinkie. She’s bluffing.”

Applejack snapped her head in Twilight’s direction. “What?”

“She won’t do it,” Twilight repeated.

“Oh? And why wouldn’t I, Twilight?” Starlight snarled. “You said it yourselves. I’m not your mother anymore--why should I care if she dies? Huh?”

“Because I know the feeling isn’t mutual,” Twilight said. “You’re not our mother. But to you, we’re still your daughters.” Twilight lifted her chin. “And I know you’d never hurt your own child.”

A tear slid down Starlight’s eye. A long period of silence stretched between them. “Just let me keep her,” she said just above a whisper.

Before anypony could speak, a harsh voice rang out. “There she is!”

A small gasp escaped Starlight. Without a word, she abruptly tossed Pearl on one of the beds before jumping out the window. Twilight’s mouth fell open. Before she knew it, she was at the windowsill and peered down with baited breath. Applejack went over to Pinkie and turned her over. “Sugarcube,” she breathed, placing a hoof over her forehead.

“She’s getting away,” Twilight sighed. She watched as Starlight slid her way down a vine. As the words left her mouth, the infirmary was suddenly swarmed with Royal Guards. Two guards nudged the girls out of the way and poked their heads outside.

“There she goes!” one called. As soon as the pink unicorn reached the bottom, she looked up in their direction and quickly ran across the fields before disappearing in a bright blue flash.

“Captain!” a pegasus guard shouted, brushing past Rarity. “Captain, she’s escaping!”

“What’s going on!?” another guard squeaked as they all filed out.

“Find that mare!” a voice boomed. Hooves thundered against the floor, multiple voices overlapping in a confused chaotic blur. Twilight could only watch as dozens of ponies brushed past her.

“Twilight!”

Twilight looked up to see Sunset Shimmer racing toward her and her mouth went dry.

As Sunset slowed, they regarded one another with wide eyes.

After long moment, Twilight finally wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. “You’re...uh...you’re a lot older than I remember.”

Author's Note

This is nowhere near over.

Chapter 16 - There's Your Answer

The sun rose slowly over the horizon. With reddened eyes, Twilight watched as the sky turned bright orange and red, with streaks of golden rays peeking out of the mist. She clutched at the blanket wrapped around her body with her pale lavender hoof. After a moment, she sighed silently and turned to face her friends. They had spent the rest of the night in Celestia’s old chambers, and even though there was a bed large enough to hold them all, they stayed huddled up together on the floor. The room was silent, with the occasional sniffle from Fluttershy.

Rarity had her back against the wall with her eyes closed, and Rainbow Dash was lying on her side, facing away from the others. Whether she was awake or not, Twilight couldn’t tell. Pinkie Pie continued to slowly rock back and forth, not saying a word. Twilight then met Applejack’s gaze, her usually lively green eyes now cold and listless.

Twilight’s lips tightened before she finally broke the long silence. “It’s morning.”

Nopony responded.

There was a knock on the door.

Twilight cleared her throat. “Who is it?” she called.

“It’s me,” came Sunset’s muffled voice.

Applejack immediately shifted away from the door and buried her face in her hooves. "Can't we see somepony else?” she asked in a low voice.

Twilight’s eyes shifted. “Applejack..."

“I don’t wanna look at her,” Applejack said, raising her voice a little. “Can’t we please get anypony else?”

Twilight stood up on her hooves, letting her blanket fall to the floor. “No...we can’t. She’s the only one I’m sure we can trust right now.” She made her way to the door. “Excuse me, Pinkie,” she said softly. The pink pony silently shifted to the side, letting Twilight through.

Twilight was greeted by two kind eyes when she opened the door. “Hi,” she whispered softly.

Twilight smiled briefly. “Hi. Almost all of us are awake. You can come in if you want.”

“Are you sure?”

Twilight nodded and moved aside. Sunset Shimmer entered the room, taking in the scene infront of her. Every single bearer of Harmony--every single one of her friends--they were all here. Alive.

Alive, and miserable.

With a clipboard encased in her aura, Sunset silently moved around the small ponies and made her way to the front of the room before taking a seat upon the window sill. One by one, each pony turned to look at her. Twilight tapped Rainbow Dash on the shoulder and leaned down to whisper in her ear. After a few moments, Rainbow finally sat up and turned to face Sunset.

The unicorn felt her heart clench at the drained look on Rainbow’s face. “I wish I could tell you that everything’s going to be alright,” Sunset said. “I wish I could tell you that you have nothing to be afraid of.” She waited, making sure that she had everypony’s attention. She adjusted her reading glasses and took the clipboard in her hooves. “But you’ve been told enough lies.”

She sighed.

“The truth is, I don’t know what’s going to happen. And I don’t know what could have led Starlight Glimmer to do what she did.”

Some of the girls flinched involuntarily at the sound of Starlight’s name.

“But I do know that we’re going to do everything in our power to help you. You have my word on that.” Her eyes swept the room. “I’m here this morning to answer any questions you might have. Everypony’s anxious to know what happened to you all this time...and, frankly, so am I,” she admitted. “But today is about you. I'll tell you as much as I can so you won't be blindsided when you return.” She paused before taking a deep breath. “Well... after your disappearance, everypony searched. Tirelessly.” Her eyes clouded at the memory. “I remember when Spike sent me the message through Princess Celestia’s book.”

Twilight bit her lip, hard.

“...I came as quickly as I could. All of us pitched in, together. Days stretched into weeks...and weeks quickly turned into months...and months turned into years. Not even Princess Luna could see into your dreams. That was when we thought…” Sunset stopped short and briefly wiped her eyes.

“Because she could see into anypony’s dreams, anywhere, anytime she tried, she found nothing. She never gave up, but...but we knew. At least, we assumed.” Guilt etched her features as she shook her head. “Nopony wanted to believe it. But with every passing year…” Sunset pursed her lips to suppress what was threatening to rise from her throat. “But we never forgot you. Please know that.”

A heavy silence.

“Was there a funeral?” Fluttershy asked quietly.

Sunset looked at the yellow pegasus. “Yes, Fluttershy,” she replied gently. “There was a funeral.”

“Sunset,” Rarity said, almost timidly. “How...how is my mother and father? And Sweetie Belle?” She hastily rubbed her hooves together. “How did...how did she take it?”

“She was heartbroken,” Sunset said sadly. “She was...lost without you. After the funeral, she spent most of her time with Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Spike.

“Eventually, her smile came back again. Nopony knew what to do with your Boutique, since the owner no longer occupied it. So, when she was old enough, Sweetie decided to claim it for herself and made a home there. I hear she’s a music teacher now. And, your parents are still living in Ponyville, and are in good health.” Sunset smiled. “She grew up into a beautiful mare, Rarity.”

Rarity’s eyes filled with tears. Swallowing hard, she nodded curtly.

“...And Scoots?” Came Rainbow’s croaked voice. “H...How is she?”

Sunset sighed. “She had a falling out with her parents around the time of your disappearance. I’m not sure what happened between them, but she eventually moved out when she was a teenager. I think your pet tortoise is in her care, from what I’ve heard.”

Sunet looked over to Applejack and nodded when she saw the look in the farm mare’s eyes. “Applebloom is also doing well. She’s married now, with a little one on the way.”

“Jumping Junebugs,” Applejack breathed out. “Who...who’s she married to? When did this all happen?”

“A little over a year ago,” Sunset replied. “She and Snails...they grew close over the years.”

Everypony in the room stared in shock. “Snails?” Applejack repeated.

Sunset shrugged with a lighthearted smile. “He’s a good husband.”

“If that’s what she’s into,” Rainbow Dash murmured from the back. A few chuckles scattered across the room, making Twilight smile.

“Big Mac also eventually married, to Miss Cherilee. They’re taking care of the farm together.”

Applejack nodded, taking all of it in. “I knew he was sort of sweet on her, but I didn’t know he liked her that much. And...Granny Smith?”

The cheer died down in Sunset’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Applejack.”

Quiet gasps rippled throughout the group and Applejack stiffened. Fluttershy crawled up and hugged her from behind, burying her tear stained cheek into Applejack’s neck. Rarity and Twilight both nuzzled her gently.

Applejack swallowed lightly,

“When?”

“A month and a half after the funeral,” Sunset whispered. "She didn't feel any pain."

Drawing in a breath, she continued on. “Fluttershy, your parents are still in Cloudsdale. So are yours, Rainbow Dash. They retired early. I’m...not sure where your brother Zephyr is, Fluttershy. Your parents lost contact with him a few years ago.”

Fluttershy grew quiet for a moment. “May I ask what happened to my animal friends?”

Sunset shook her head. “The last they were seen was the night of the funeral. Before anypony could figure out what to do with them, they just disappeared the next morning.”

Fluttershy’s eyes turned downcast. “Oh...I see. And...and what about Discord?"

"He's been taking care of Ponyville since you were taken. I'm...not really sure what he's up to at the moment. He's been keeping a low profile lately...I think he took your disappearance the hardest."

Sunset Shimmer turned to Pinkie. “Pinkie, would you like to know about your family or the Cakes first?”

Pinkie looked at her.

“Pinkie Pie,” Rarity said softly. “Sunset just asked you a question.” Pinkie glanced over at Rarity, but said nothing.

“I’m sorry, Sunset,” Twilight sighed as she rubbed Pinkie's back.

“She hasn’t said a word since she returned to herself,” Fluttershy said.

Sunset’s forehead creased. “She might be in shock.” She looked at Twilight. “Maybe I should fill her in later. Now, Twilight-”

Knock knock knock!

“Yes?”

“Miss Shimmer,” bellowed a voice. “We’re about to head out.”

Sunset’s ears perked up and she hopped down from the window sill. “Excuse me for a moment,” she said briskly as she trotted around the girls. She cracked the door open and pressed her face in between the opening. The young ponies craned their necks to try to see who Sunset was talking to. Straining to hear what was being said, only the words “Princess” and “Mountains” registered. She and the pony at the door talked in a few more soft whispers before abruptly ending the conversation. Sunset quickly shut the door behind her and turned to the bearers. “Sorry about that. Now as I was saying, Twilight--”

“Sunset,” Twilight said standing up. “Who was that? Was he talking about the Princesses?”

Sunset blinked and briefly worked her mouth. “Well...yes, but--”

“Are they looking for them?” Twilight started to move past Sunset. “I’m going with them!”

Sunset’s hoof caught her by the shoulder. “Twilight, no. The Guards already have it handled. What you need to do is rest. We can have you back in Ponyville tonight. You’ve been through enough already.”

Twilight looked up with pleading eyes. “Please, Sunset. I need to see them. I...I know the rest of my family is alright, but Spike’s still out there somewhere. Starlight did something to him, but I was...They can help! My friends can stay here, but I need to go!”

“Princess Luna will take care of it,” Sunset said firmly. “Spike’s been under her wing for years. As soon as she returns, she’ll be all over it, I guarantee it.”

“Luna...took care of Spike?” Twilight asked, holding a hoof to her heart.

Sunset nodded. “Her first and only pupil. You need to get home, Twilight. A lot of ponies need to see you. Alive.” She glanced at the rest of the girls. “There are some things you remember that won’t be there anymore. But there’s still much more to come back to. Your town loves you. Equestria loves you.”

Twilight looked around at her friend’s solemn but determined faces. She sighed softly. “What about Starlight?”

“They’re still out searching. Trust me, Twilight. There’s nothing more you can do here. Go home. Get some rest. Spend time with those you love. I’ll send a letter to Shining Armor and Cadence to let them know.”

“Hey,” Rainbow said. “How come you never noticed us before? Or anypony else?”

“You all looked...different before,” Sunset said. “Your manes, your eyes, your coats...you didn’t look like yourselves. That was, until you rediscovered the Elements of Harmony.”

Applejack cursed under her breath.

“She must have put a spell on our appearances,” Rarity sighed. She smiled ruefully. “She really did think of everything, didn’t she?”

“If she did, she wouldn't've got caught,” Rainbow Dash pointed out. She smiled softly at Twilight and winked.

Twilight gave a tearful grin and nodded. “Alright. We’ll go back. Thank you, Sunset.”

Sunset reached out her forehoof and brought Twilight in for a hug. “I’m so happy you’re back,” she whispered. “I’ll meet you in Ponyville when I’m finished. We have a lot to catch up on.” She pulled back and smiled at the girls. “I’ll have some Guards escort you to the train. Be safe, girls.”

“Five minutes till Ponyville!” the Conductor boomed out as he paced the train station. One by one, each pony quietly climbed onto the train.

“We should be there by noon, Miss Sparkle,” the Guard said to Twilight. She squinted up at him as the sun glinted on his metal helmet. “In addition to ensuring a safe passage to Ponyville, my ponies will accompany you for the next week for your safety. It's just a percussion.”

Twilight bowed her head and dipped low. “Thank you, kind Sir.”

A hoof encased in fine metal touched her chin and guided it up. With a smile, the Guard replied, “Please, call me Silver Shield. And, your return is thanks enough…” He gave a nod. “Your Highness.” Twilight smiled but sighed inwardly as the Guard trotted away.

“You look like you smell something funky,” said an approaching voice.

“I don't know how I can get back to being a Princess after all this,” Twilight said quietly.

“Well, I don’t think anypony’s gonna hold it against you,” Applejack said as she walked past.

Twilight trotted up and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Wait a minute, A.J.” She looked around before guiding her friend behind a bulletin board five feet away from the train.

After making sure they were alone, Twilight faced Applejack and nodded. “Okay, A.J. Go ahead.”

Applejack blinked. “Go ahead?”

“We’re alone now,” Twilight said gently. “I know you wouldn’t want to lose face in Ponyville.” Looking upon Applejack’s confused expression, Twilight added, “It’s okay to cry.”

Applejack stared at Twilight for a good long minute before her face broke out in a smile. “Cry?” She chuckled. “Twilight, I don’t have time to do any sort of cryin’. I’m not sad. I’m angry.” The blonde mare leaned in, her voice low. “Personally? I think it’s a waste of time, bein’ sent back to Ponyville. I think we should be lookin for her.”

“Applejack--”

“That mare needs to be stopped, she escaped twice already and now you’re telling me she’s getting away for the third time!?”

“She’s not getting away!” Twilight said, almost shouting. After turning a few heads, she tried to keep her voice at a low volume. “They know who she is now...what she can do. We even gave them directions to our ho--” She stopped herself. “--the place where we used to live. Sunset trusts the Guards, and I trust Sunset. It’s going to be okay--”

“Twilight,” Applejack choked through gritted teeth. Blinking up at the sky, the earth pony sighed heavily. “I am a forty-one year old mare in an eighteen year old’s body.”

More ponies chattered and milled about as a new train arrived at the station.

“Don’t tell me it’s going to be okay.” Not waiting for the reply, Applejack brushed past Twilight and marched over to the train.

“The Cakes can’t see her like this,” Rarity whispered.

Rainbow Dash grabbed Pinkie by the shoulders and shook her. “C’mon, wake up!”

The pink pony stared at her with a slight hint of confusion. Rainbow growled and slapped her lightly on the cheek. “Snap out of it!”

“Dashie, stop it!” Fluttershy reproached, grabbing Rainbow’s hoof before pushing it away. “That’s not helping!” She turned and looked into Pinkie’s eyes. Beyond the lack of effervescence and mirth, the yellow pegasus could see the fear and uncertainty that clouded those blue irises. With a sweet smile, Fluttershy sat beside her and cupped Pinkie’s face in her hooves. “Everything’s going to be alright. The Guards are taking us home now. We’re going back to Ponyville.”

Pinkie’s mouth opened a little and her ears perked up.

“Yes, Ponyville! We’re going to see all our friends again. And the Cakes will be there too! Mr. and Mrs. Cake, Pound and Pumpkin...”

Immediately, Pinkie’s ears flopped against her head and her lower lip started to tremble.

“Pinkie? What’s wrong?”

Pinkie Pie gently pulled out of Fluttershy’s grasp and sat back a little. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Rarity watched as Pinkie folded her forehooves and slowly rocked them side to side. “Baby?” Fluttershy inquired. “You mean the Baby Cakes?”

Pinkie bobbed her head. She then spread her hooves and raised them up. With silent tears cascading down her cheeks, she pointed to the tops of her friends heads and raised her hooves again.

Fluttershy nodded and wiped her friend’s eyes. “I know,” she said softly. “I know.”

Just then, Applejack appeared behind Rarity. “We ready to go?” The train whistle sounded, followed by the Conductor’s voice.

“All aboooooard!”

Rainbow gave a nod to the side. “There’s your answer.” Twilight stepped onto the train while her friends all took their seats. She glanced at Applejack before turning away and sighing. She stood in the middle of the aisle as the train slowly began moving. It wasn’t long before Canterlot began to flash across the windows as the train sped up.

“Sunset mentioned that the press will get wind of this soon,” Twilight said as she hopped onto a seat next to Rainbow Dash. “If they ask any questions you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to tell them anything. It’s okay. They’ll think we’re in shock.”

Rarity stared at her for a moment. “We are in shock, Twilight.”

“Well, then this should be easy.”

They sat in silence and watched the scenery outside. The world they’ve been kept from looked more or less the same. But the trees seemed more green and the sky even more blue. The colors of Equestria seemed more vibrant and alive than it was before. Some of the girls were still adjusting their eyes, for they spent most of their lives seeing grey. Ten minutes in, Fluttershy slid from her seat.

“I’m going to get some fresh air,” she said. “I’ll be right back.” After receiving a few nods, Fluttershy exited their car and wandered further down the train until she reached the caboose.

She slid the door open and stepped outside. She smiled as the wind blew her mane back. She walked forward and placed both of her hooves on the railing. Closing her eyes, she inhaled through her nose and lifted her good wing into the air and felt the rush of the wind beneath her feathers. She giggled lightly at the sensation before exhaling in content.

Behind her, the floorboards creaked loudly.

With a squeak, she whirled around. She then sighed when she saw Pinkie Pie’s sheepish expression with her hoof positioned forward. “Oh, it’s you, Pinkie.” She brought a hoof to her chest and sighed again.

Pinkie looked apologetic.

“It’s okay. I was just startled.” Fluttershy glanced around before smiling. “Checking up on me?”

The earth pony nodded admittedly before casting a sad glance toward Fluttershy’s damaged wing.

Fluttershy looked down at her grey harness that was strapped all the way across her shoulder. “Oh, it’s okay. I’m fine with it, really.” She paused before shrugging. “But...I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss flying just a little.”

She lifted her good wing again. “I was never the best flyer. But I did like it. It helped me connect more with the birds, and other creatures that fly.” Tucking her wing to her side, she added, “But I think it’s better if I stay more connected to the creatures here on the ground. Now I have to convince Rainbow Dash to finally take off again.”

She fell silent for a moment. Her eyes trailed down to her hooves and she chewed on her lip. “Pinkie, I have another confession to make.”

Pinkie lifted her eyebrows.

“Do you promise to keep it a secret?”

For the first time, Pinkie Pie smiled and silently performed the tried and true Pinkie Promise.

Fluttershy gave a warm chuckle, but her smile quickly faded. “Everypony’s so upset. I am too, for the most part. But at the same time…” She looked out into the distance. “I don’t feel as angry as I should.” She paused for a while, avoiding Pinkie’s gaze. “I think there’s something wrong with me.”

She felt a hoof on her shoulder and she finally looked at Pinkie, who gave her a look of concern. “I...I don’t know if I can forgive her,” she gasped, a single tear trickling down her cheek. “But no matter how hard I try, I can’t hate her. I just...can’t!”

Her breaths came out in short bursts as she fumbled with her words. “Every time I do try, I only see the face above my crib and the warmth of her hugs whenever I felt scared…” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I remember the nights when she invited me in her bed during thunderstorms, and I remember the night she saved my life…”

Pinkie Pie pulled her into a hug and Fluttershy embraced her tightly. “Pinkie…” she whispered. “I think I still love her.”

Author's Note

I am....soooooo incredibly sorry for the long wait. Finals, y'all. Merry Christmas!

Edit 2018: Well, for those of you who would like this story to continue, it will! It's been a long while, but this will keep going!

Chapter 17 - From the Dead

“How do you spell the word ‘Justice’?” The six-year-old ponies sat their desks, pondering.

“J…u…s-t-i-s?” Sunshine tried.

“Not quite, Sunshine.”

“J-u-s-t-i-s-s?” said Sapphire.

“No, but keep trying,” Starlight encouraged.

“J-u-s-t-i-c-e,” Moonlight stated. “Justice.”

“Very good Moonlight, but allow your sisters the chance to answer the questions next time, alright?”

Moonlight sighed. “Okaaay.”

“Let’s try another word. How aboouuut…” Starlight peered inside her book. “Principal.”

“Oh Mom, not that word,” Prism groaned. “I hate that word. I never get it right!”

“You’ll learn how to spell it soon enough, Prism. Why don’t you try it again?”

With a loud sigh, Prism crossed her forehooves and looked down at her desk’s surface. “P-r-i-n-c-i-p-l-e?”

“Not that kind of Principal, though you did spell it right. Try it again, my starling.”

“P…r…i…n….c…a…p…”

“P-r-i-n-c-i-p-a-l. Principal,” Moonlight interrupted, earing a deep scowl from Prism.

Starlight closed her book. “Moonlight, may I see you in the kitchen?” Moonlight huffed and slid out of her desk, leaving her other sisters to chatter.

“I know, it wasn’t very nice,” Moonlight said as the two stepped into the kitchen. “But we’ve been going over the same ten words for two weeks now, and they still don’t know how to spell them! Couldn’t we go over some new words and come back to this lesson later?”

“Now, Moonlight, what have we discussed? Everypony moves on together. We shouldn’t leave anypony in the dust just because they don’t understand a lesson right away. How would you feel if you didn’t understand something, and needed just a little more time learning it? Would you like it if your sisters and I simply moved onto something else regardless of how you felt? You’d feel pretty left out, wouldn’t you?”

Moonlight hung her head as the words sunk in. “I’d feel awful.”

“Instead of feeling that you have a better grasp of the subject more than your sisters, perhaps you should start humbling yourself and see how you can help them. I know you’re itching to move on, but you need to put those feelings aside. Your sisters are your family, Moonlight. And families work as a team. I want you girls to help each other, not make each other feel bad.”

Moonlight lifted her eyes. “I understand, mother.”

Starlight smiled and kissed Moonlight on the cheek. “That’s my girl.”

When they walked back into the classroom, Moonlight approached Prism, who turned her head away. “I’m sorry that I made you feel bad. You’re really a great speller, Prism. I was just too caught up in my own interests to realize it.”

Prism didn’t answer.

“I know a way you can spell Principal.”

After a slight pause, Prism turned to face Moonlight. She still looked a little upset, but her eyes were curious. “Yeah? How?”

“Well, think of it this way. The Principal is like your pal! P-r-i-n-c-i-p-a-l.”

Prism thought a moment. “The Principal is my pal. P-r-i-n-c-i... p-a-l. Principal?”

“That’s it! You got it right!”

Prism’s face lit up like the sun. “P-r-i-n-c-i-p-a-l!” She shot up from her desk and flew circles around the room. “P-r-i-n-c-i-p-a-l!”

Delighted, the other girls joined in on the spelling, and soon the room was filled with tiny voices shouting out the correct letters of the word.

Chuckling, Starlight tapped her pointing stick against the chalk board. “Alright, settle down, ladies.” Prism finally settled down in her seat, and the girls quieted down. “Now that I’m sure we’re on the same page—how do we spell Principal?”

She grinned and cupped a hoof around her ear as her daughters happily chorused, “P-r-i-n-c-i-p-a-l!”

“Excellent, starlings!” She winked at Moonlight, who grinned back.

Twilight awoke to screaming machines and bright lights. She gasped loudly, flailing her hooves in panic.

“Twilight! Twilight, it’s alright! Nurse, I need some help, please! It’s alright, Twilight, it’s alright.” A gentle but firm hoof pushed against her chest, keeping her in place. “It’s okay.”

As Twilight struggled to control her breathing, her eyes flitted up to the pony standing over her. “Butterc—Fluttershy,” she whispered with the slight shake of her head. A nurse came bustling in and pressed some buttons, silencing the machines. “Wait, what…what’s happening, what’s going on?”

“I’m here,” Fluttershy assured her, and stepped back as the nurse checked Twilight over.

“Do you know your name?” the nurse asked, shining a light in Twilight’s eyes.

“T…Twilight Sparkle.”

“What nation is this?”

“Equestria.”

“What’s today’s date?”

“June…June twelfth. A week before this year’s Summer Sun Celebration.”

The nurse switched off the light and smiled. “Very good, Princess Twilight.” She checked Twilight’s vitals with brisk efficiency before giving a satisfied nod. “Alright, hang tight. I’ll be back with your Doctor. Don’t worry—he’s the best there is.”

The nurse left before Twilight could ask her any questions. Fluttershy returned to her side, fussing with Twilight’s blanket. “Are you alright?”

“I think so,” Twilight replied, blinking around at her hospital room, looking slightly bewildered. “What happened? Where are we? Where are the others?”

Fluttershy started to open her mouth when a stallion flanked by three other ponies with clipboards strode in. “Princess Twilight,” he smiled, approaching her bed. “Do you remember me? My name is Doctor Horse.”

Twilight eyed him carefully. “Yes, I’ve…I’ve seen you before…”

Doctor Horse’s eyes crinkled as he grinned. Yes, he looked the same way Twilight remembered him—except now, his mane was streaked with silver, and he had deep lines in his face. “I’ll never forget how Rainbow Dash broke back into the hospital just to read that Daring Do book. It’s a story we tell all the patients to distract them from their injections. The fillies and colts here love it especially.”

“…What happened?”

Doctor Horse’s smile was replaced with something more serious and cautious. “What’s the last thing you remember, Twilight?”

Twilight wracked her brain. “I…we were on a train back to Ponyville.”

Doctor Horse gave a nod. “Unfortunately, upon your arrival, your friend Rarity started experiencing a panic attack. Providentially, my staff and I were there in case of an emergency.” He paused, allowing Twilight to absorb this information. “We were able to escort all six of you in, but as soon as the nurses started giving Rarity treatment, Rainbow Dash tried to intervene…quite violently.”

Twilight’s mouth went dry.

“Don’t worry, they’re perfectly safe. We had them sedated, and they’re resting in separate rooms just down the hall.”

Twilight looked to Fluttershy for confirmation, and the pegasus nodded solemnly. Twilight tried to think back to the moments they arrived, but her mind was too foggy. She blinked confusedly. “I had a breakdown too?”

“No, not quite. After the doctors had to restrain Rainbow Dash, you lost consciousness.” He flipped a page in his clipboard. “High stress, exhaustion, and a significant raise in blood pressure. Something we’ll need to mind.”

Twilight glanced at the ponies standing to the side, taking notes. “W…What about Applejack and Pinkie Pie?”

“Oh, they’re doing fine. We performed a brief check-up on all three,” he said, nodding at Fluttershy. “But everything checks out nicely. We are, however, expecting a number of counselors and psychologists.”

Fluttershy fidgeted.

“Other than the obvious, the six of you are perfectly safe. The royal guard has closed off the entire wing, so only you ladies are occupying this floor. In addition to the guards, you’ll be under my protection as well. My staff and I will see to it that nopony enters the wing without proper clearance.” His stern, yet protective tone relaxed Twilight a little. Doctor Horse was a no-nonsense pony when it came to the safety of his patients. “Do you have any questions, Princess Twilight?”

“Just Twilight is fine,” she said with a small smile. “When can I get out of this bed? I’m fine, really.”

“Well, I’d like to run just a few more tests, but after which, I don’t see why not. I suggest going easy, however. Keep yourself as relaxed as possible. I need to do a quick run downstairs, but I’ll return shortly. I’ll have one of the nurses bring you some food.” With another nod to Fluttershy, Doctor Horse and the trio of ponies with clipboards left the room.

“Do you want any water?” Fluttershy asked.

“No thank you.”

Fluttershy nodded and pulled a nearby chair over and sat next to Twilight’s bed. “You mustn’t rush yourself. I saw you when you fainted. You looked so exhausted.”

“And now I’ve had my rest,” Twilight smiled. “Really, it’s no big deal. I’m more concerned about Rarity and Rainbow Dash…” She thought back to her last waking memory and shook her head. “I take it Doctor Blank was being vague for my benefit.”

“They had to be careful. They didn’t know how much you could take.”

They sat in silence for a moment. “…Fluttershy? What’s Ponyville like?”

“…I don’t really know. Before the train could even pull in, there were...there were just…tons of ponies…tons. I couldn’t even get a good look at the rest of Ponyville because the crowds were so large.” Fluttershy shook her head, her eyes almost dazed. “So much yelling and screaming. So many bright flashes…cameras, I think. And when the train stopped, Rarity just started screaming. I-I don’t even know what happened. I don’t remember much else…everything was such a blur…it was almost like I was dreaming.”

After a while, Twilight spoke quietly. “I guess they know we’re alive now.”

“Mmhm.”

The clock on the wall ticked by as they lapsed into more silence. Twilight’s eyes fell on Fluttershy’s cast. “So…um…they did an observation?”

Fluttershy smiled. “My wing really is irreparable, yes. Let’s not worry about it now, Twilight. We need to focus on the others…and about where we go from here.”

“Where we go from here,” Twilight half laughed, half scoffed, falling back against her pillow and rubbing her forehead. She frowned as her hoof grazed over a thick bandage covering her left temple. She supposed that was from the fall. “Where could we possibly go from here, Fluttershy? I can’t see my family like this, I’m a mess!”

“They’re dying to see you, I’m sure! Whatever problems we have, I’m sure our families will help us through it.”

Twilight pressed her lips tightly, blinking back tears. “I don’t even know what to say to them. We’ve been gone for eighteen years…my family thought I was dead.”

Fluttershy brushed a lock of Twilight’s mane behind her ear. “Tell them that you love them. That’s all you need to say.”

Twilight choked, and Fluttershy leaned in to hug her.

“Those are beautiful,” Nurse Redheart said, peering over Pinkie Pie’s shoulder. Pinkie glanced up and smiled before returning to her coloring. Sine the wing had been closed off for them, Applejack and Pinkie Pie sat in the lounge area in between patient rooms.

Applejack sat back quietly as she watched Pinkie’s drawings pile up. The nurses had given her a box of crayons and some paper to color with a few hours ago, and the pink pony hasn’t stopped coloring since.

Applejack wasn’t sure that Pinkie’s sudden desire to color pictures was just Pinkie being Pinkie or something else—she wasn’t entirely sure of her friends’ mental state. Heck, she wasn’t entirely sure about her own mental state at this point.

“They’re quite good,” Redheart told her as they watched Pinkie work. “It’s a great way of communicating if need be. That’s good news.”

The farm pony nodded absently as another nurse came bustling up. “Nurse Redheart, there’s a fax that came in that needs your si—” She trailed off, her eyes darting between Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

“My signature?” Redheart finished pointedly but keeping politeness. “Who is the fax from?”

Applejack raised an eyebrow and the young nurse swallowed weakly. “C…Conference in Fillydelphia.”

She locked gazes with Applejack, and her coat seemed to pale. Nurse Redheart swiftly turned the other nurse around with a firm hoof. “You’ll have to show me, Nurse Sweetheart. Please excuse us, Applejack.”

Applejack nodded as Redheart steered her now sweating co worker down the hall. She eyed the vending machine next to their table and wondered if Nurse Redheart would be willing to spare a bit or two when she returned. Anything in that machine was sure to be better than the food they served here.

What I wouldn’t give for a nice bowl of porridge. She shook her head. I mean, apple pie.

Pinkie Pie brushed aside another finished picture, and Applejack slid it over with a hoof, curious. Her face instantly grew stormy.

It was a picture of Starlight Glimmer.

Applejack started to crumble it up, but Pinkie quickly snatched it away. “Pinkie, give it here.”

Pinkie shook her head and hid it on the other side if the table with a stubborn glare. “You can’t draw pictures like that,” she growled. “Give it here.”

When Pinkie didn’t budge, Applejack threw up her hooves. “Fine,” she spat, hopping down from her seat at the table. “If you wanna to draw pictures of psychopaths, keep ‘em. Keep ‘em all! I ain’t gonna risk upsettin’ you. I’ve had more than my fair share of breakdowns today, thank you very much.”

Applejack stormed off and Pinkie kept drawing.

“Those things’ll kill you,” a deep, gravelly voice said.

Diamond Tiara glanced up from her chair and pursed her lips, glancing half-heartedly at the cigarette in her hoof. “Guess I just needed something.”

The heavy-set stallion with a bushy mustache plucked it from her grasp. “May-be. But not this.” He leaned over Diamond’s shoulder and snuffed it out in an ashtray. “Took me forever to quit—don’t you start too. What you need’s a strong drink. Then get back to business as usual.”

Diamond laughed. “Business as usual, hmm?”

The stallion walked around the table and sank into a chair across from Diamond with a heavy sigh. “They really are alive, aren’t they?”

“Every single one,” Diamond beamed, her voice wavering slightly. “Six dead heroes…alive…well…and teenagers. Not something you see every day.”

They fell silent as they listened to the commotion from outside the Hospital. Ponies were fighting to get in, screaming and yelling, demanding answers. Despite the chaotic masses, the guards were able to hold them back.

“Did you warn the families?” she asked quietly.

“I did.” He lifted his shoulders half-heartedly. “It went as well as expected. They’ll have personal escorts over here, I have a few ponies on it.”

Diamond nodded, staring at the paper in her hooves.

The elevator dinged, and Doctor Horse stepped out, scowling at the crowd outside. Reporters fought tooth and nail to get pictures of him as he passed the glass front doors. “Heaven forbid if there’s a patient out there in need of medical treatment and he or she can’t even get inside.”

“How are they, Doctor?” Diamond asked as he approached their table.

“Not suitable for any interviews,” he said pointedly. “But they appear to be in good physical health, with a few minor exceptions. Psychologically, they’ll need intensive care.”

“So exactly what do I reveal to the public? The fact that their friends and neighbors are alive, but they’re trapped in teenage bodies and might be former shells of themselves? Or maybe the fact that our new ruler Starlight Glimmer was somehow responsible for their disappearance and is currently on the loose somewhere in Equestria?”

“Reveal only what is necessary,” Doctor Horse said. “The rest is for the girls to tell. Whatever they’ve been through these past eighteen years, I’m sure they’ll want to disclose themselves.”

Diamond sighed. “Alright. Thank you, Doctor.” As the doctor left to converse with the receptionists up front, Diamond crossed out a few lines on her paper and scribbled down something else. “I’m really starting to miss that cigarette, Snips.”

There was a rumble in Snip’s chest as he chuckled. “You’ll be fine. You’re the strongest Mayor I’ve ever known, Diamond. This town would be a big pile of ash without you.”

“You mean a big pile of ash without Discord—where in Equestria he disappeared to, I have no idea.”

“You’ve kept the sanity.”

“Yeah, well, we’ll see how long that lasts.” After a few more scribbles, Diamond straightened the lapels of her lilac colored blazer. “Care to read over my speech before I throw myself to the wolves?”

“Don’t need to. Whatever you tell ‘em, I’ll be there to back you up one hundred percent.” Snips hopped down from his chair, fidgeting with his bowtie. “I’mma swing by the loo real fast, then I’ll join ya.”

“Hurry back, Governor,” she said as he scuttled off. She stood up from her own chair and reached up to check to see if her updo was still pristine. “Ribbon Slice?”

Ribbon Slice, who had been quietly standing off to the side, gave a small squeak and rushed to her boss’ side, clutching her clipboard to her chest. “Yes, Mayor Tiara?”

“Get me coffee. And lots of it.”

“Yes, Mayor Tiara.”

Princess Celestia breathed in the scent of lemongrass and sage. The sounds of birds chirping in the distance filled the air with song, and the rays of the warm sun tickled her face. “More tea, Sister?”

Celestia opened her eyes and smiled, levitating her dainty teacup in the air. As Luna filled her cup, the eldest glanced around at the weeping willows that hung over them, its leaves flowing gently in the breeze. Not too far from their set up, she could spot the crystal-clear waterfalls that towered over the trees. She rather enjoyed swimming in the springs.

“What are your plans tonight, Sister?” Luna asked.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe walk by the fireflies. They’re having a special event, I hear. The young ones will choose which ones to pair with for mating season.”

“That sounds…interesting,” Luna replied, taking a sip of her tea.

Celestia chuckled. “I know it doesn’t sound terribly exciting, but I actually do enjoy watching creatures find their soulmates. I suppose it’s the sense of peace and unity that draws me to them.”

Luna nodded. “I’ve been rather drawn to the possums here as well. They’ve been teaching me most intriguing recipes for—” Luna’s sentence stopped dead in its tracks at the sight of Celestial Guards flying in from above. She squinted, shielding her eyes from the sun. “Are you expecting anypony?”

“No, are you?”

The guards landed in front of them and immediately gave a sharp salute. “At ease,” Celestia said with a nod. “What brings you all here? Did something happen?”

The guards exchanged unsure glances, and Luna’s eyes narrowed.

“W-Well, Princess,” one of the guards began. “I’m not sure how to—”

“Oh! Just a moment.” Celestia’s horn glowed, and the others watched as she lowered the sun just behind the trees; the sky turned from azure blue to a scarlet red and pink as the day neared its end. “There we are. Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?”

“…There’s been a slight…development.”

Luna rolled her eyes. “Then I’m sure that whatever it is, Starlight Glimmer should be able to handle it.”

“They wouldn’t have come all this way to the Elysian fields if it’s something minor,” Celestia said, watching the guards with concern. “Has there been an attack, my little ponies? A war of some kind?”

“No, no war, Your Highness…but it does have something to do with Starlight Glimmer.”

Luna scoffed while Celestia smiled, happy at the dismissal of war. “Well now, prey tell! What news do you bring?”

As Celestia made to take another sip of tea, the guard gathered his courage and drew a breath. “Your Highness, Twilight and her friends are alive.”

The teacup shattered.

Twilight slowly wandered past the doorway to Rarity’s room. The unicorn sat on her bed, no longer hooked to the machines. “Hi,” she called out, looking a tad lost.

Twilight stepped back in the center. “Hi.”

A pause.

“Would you mind terribly if I brushed your mane?”

Twilight suddenly realized that her mane was still in the same style Starlight had given her since she was four years old. The nurses had cleaned and brushed it, but they had it restyled to the way it was before, hairclip and all.

Swallowing hard, Twilight nodded vigorously and joined Rarity on her hospital bed.

Rarity’s mane was already loose, free of the bun she had worn all her life. It lacked its usual curls, but it still looked nice. “The nurses were gracious enough to give me a brush and a little bit of mouse,” she said as she unfastened Twilight’s hairclip. “One of them even offered to go fetch me some mane curlers.”

After separating Twilight’s mane into different sections, Rarity started to brush. “…Have you talked to Rainbow Dash? They won’t let me leave this room, let alone see her.”

Twilight chewed her lip. “Rainbow…after she woke up, she started screaming and fighting again. They had to strap her to the bed. Doctor Horse and his team are in her room now. They won’t let any of us in there.”

There was a pause, then a sniffle. She continued to work on Twilight’s mane. “You’re going to look beautiful when you meet with your family. Shining, Cadence, the baby…”

Twilight frowned. “Flurry Heart isn’t a baby anymore. We saw her at the trial, remember? She’s…well she’s around our age. Technically.”

“…Oh, that’s right. Well, there’s one bright side to this. Tons of ponies in their forties would kill to have our youthful looks.” Twilight started to turn her head to face Rarity, but her white hooves kept her head facing front. “I’m sure Spike will be happy to see us too.”

“I just hope he’s alright,” Twilight sighed. “Mo—Starlight did something to him, I just know it. The question is, what? What could she possibly do to a Dragon that large?”

“I have no idea, Darling. There we are.” She motioned for Twilight to turn around to face her and fluffed her mane a little. “In true Twilight Sparkle fashion.”

Twilight smiled as she ran her hoof through her mane, back to the way it was. “Thanks, Rarity.”

“Think nothing of it.” Her smile dimmed. “I do apologize about my little…outburst. I don’t know what got into me. So very inappropriate.”

“Rarity, don’t apologize,” Twilight said, appalled. “We’ve been through a lot. If anypony blames you for it, they have no right.”

“Be as it may, I’m hoping against hope that I don’t greet Sweetie Belle that way,” Rarity sighed, making small adjustments to Twilight’s ends. “It’s not something a ten-year-old filly should have to deal with.”

Twilight stared but said nothing.

Author's Note

From the dead has two meanings here :twilightblush:

To those who have been waiting, I apologize. A lot of things has happened in my life, and I haven't been able to get to this one. But, I feel that I should continue this for whoever still wants to read further.

These chapters will consist of comfort, healing, and some Glimmer-hunting if that's quite alright :twilightsmile:

Chapter 18 - Shattered Trust

“Sunshine, you haven’t touched your food,” Starlight said with concern. “Is something the matter?”

Sunshine gulped as multiple pairs of eyes shifted onto her. “I…I’m not hungry.” She pushed her bowl of porridge across the table and crossed her forehooves.

“Not hungry? That’s not like you, Sunshine.”

Prism shrugged and swiped Sunshine’s bowl towards herself. “If you’re not hungry, more for me then!”

Sunshine growled and jumped down from her seat before bolting toward the girl’s bedroom. Sniffling, she climbed onto her bed and pressed her face into her pillow. It wasn’t long before a hoof rested on her back.

“Sunshine, tell me what’s wrong,” Starlight said. “You’ve been very picky with your food lately—you’re usually the first one to clean out your bowl.”

A muffled reply. “Nothing.”

“Sunshine, if you don’t tell me what’s wrong, I cannot help you. The problem won’t go away if you keep ignoring it.”

There was a shift. Then Sunshine slowly pulled the pillow away from her face. Her hoof went to her jaw and her eyes squeezed shut in pain.

Starlight’s eyes widened. “Ohhh, I think I know what the problem is.” She gestured Sunshine to open her mouth and peered inside. “Where is it?”

Sunshine’s tongue passed over to the left side of her bottom teeth, and a single tooth started to wiggle. “Oh, my stars,” Starlight breathed. “It’s…It’s your baby tooth. You’re the first, Sunshine!”

Sunshine closed her mouth and her hoof flew to her jaw again. “But I don’t wanna be first! I don’t want my tooth yanked out!”

“Yanked out? Now just where did you get that idea?”

“P-Prism said that when we start losing our baby teeth, you’ll yank them out.” Sunshine’s lower lip trembled despite herself.

Starlight sighed and shook her head. “Prism and her wild stories. I’m going to have a long talk with her, believe you me. Is that why you haven’t been eating much these past few days?”

“It…It hurts really bad when I try to chew something. I didn’t tell because I didn’t want you to y-yank it.”

Starlight’s hoof trailed Sunshine’s jaw. “Sunshine, you silly pony. I’m not going to yank it out. It seems that you have two choices. One, we can simply leave it be, and it’ll fall out on its own…or two, I can help you remove your tooth.”

Sunshine mulled it over. “I…I want it out.”

“I thought so. Now let me see…” Sunshine let out a low, fretful whine as Starlight moved in on her tooth.

“Ah ah ah. Trust me.” Her horn lit up and her aura encased the loose tooth. “I’m going to maneuver it out on a count of three.”

Sunshine squeezed her eyes shut.

“One…two….”

Sunshine braced herself. She waited and waited for her mother to say ‘Three’, but it never came. “Uh redeh,” she said with her mouth still wide open.

“It’s out.”

The filly’s eyes popped open. “Huh?” Starlight smirked as she held up the tiny tooth for her daughter to see. “My tooth!” She worked over the empty space where her tooth used to be with her tongue. “It didn’t even hurt!”

“And it would have been out a lot sooner of you had just come to me in the first place. Which ended up being more painful? Keeping secrets or revealing the truth?”

“Keeping secrets,” Sunshine admitted. Her ears flattened against her head. “I’m sorry, mommy. I should have trusted you. I can always trust you, right?”

Starlight’s eyes dimmed. “Right,” she said softly, gazing at Sunshine’s tooth. “It looks like you’re on your way to growing up, aren’t you?”

Sunshine cheered up at this. “Are you proud of me, mommy?”

Starlight’s gaze lingered on the tooth a moment longer, and her subdued look vanished as quickly as it came. “Of course. I think…I think I’ll start collecting these—your baby teeth and your sisters baby teeth.”

“Gross!” Sunshine laughed, grabbing her tooth out of Starlight’s aura. “I’m gonna show the others!” She jumped down from her bed and rushed into the dining room. “Look, everypony! My baby tooth’s out!”

All at once, her sisters sprung out of their chairs and crowded around Sunshine in an instant.

“Whoa!”

“Let me see!”

“Did mom yank it out?”

“Did it hurt?”

“I-I’d like to see!”

“Aww,” said Sapphire, frowning. “I want my baby teeth out too!”

“Me too,” Buttercup said, her eyes starting to water.

“Me too too,” Pearl choked.

Sunshine rolled her eyes as some of her sisters began to cry.

“I ain’t seein’ no shrink,” Applejack said with a stomp of her hoof. “It ain’t gonna happen.”

“Applejack, be reasonable,” Twilight said tiredly, rubbing a hoof against her temple—the one that wasn’t currently bandaged. “We’ve been through a lot more than we can handle. Feelings we don’t even know what to do with…the confusion…” She tried not to glance at Rarity at the last word. “All things that these doctors can help us with.”

“Well, I don’t know about you Twilight, but I’m not gonna just sit back and let a bunch of strangers tell me how crazy I am!”

“Applejack,” Fluttershy reprimanded. “Nopony said anything of the sort. Doctor Horse asked for them specifically, and they were nice enough to agree to travel from different cities just to help us. The least we can do is spend some time with them.”

“It’s might nice, yes. And I’ll be sure to apologize to them personally when they arrive tomorrow, because it’ll be a waste of a trip.”

Twilight looked angry now. “We’re all shaken, Applejack! All of us, even you! Don’t pretend that you’re not!”

“I’m not pretending anything!”

“Why do you always have to pick a fight with me!?”

“Why do you always think that you know what’s right!”

“Girls!” Rarity hissed with a glare. “Will you please control your tempers? You do remember that Rainbow Dash is just down the hall, or have you all forgotten? She can hear you.”

Both mares shut their mouths tightly and retreated to the opposite sides of the room. A nurse poked her head inside. “Everything alright, ladies?”

“Yes,” Twilight said, mustering up a smile. “We’re fine, thank you.”

The nurse nodded and disappeared back into the hall. The five elements had crowded inside Rarity’s hospital room; they needed to be close, especially since they were one short.

Rarity rolled around on her bed and sighed, staring at the celling. “Why must they make the lights so dark? It’s looking more and more like a dungeon by the minute.”

“To relax us, maybe,” Twilight said, casting an irritated glance towards Applejack. “Not that it’s helping much.”

Applejack huffed but said nothing. Pinkie Pie, who sat on the bed alongside Rarity, took a crayon in between her teeth and wrote something down on paper. Then she held it up for all to see.

Please don’t fight

We need each other

“Pinkie’s right,” Fluttershy said, emerging from the back corner. “We’re all in this together, remember? Now is not the time to start bickering.” Twilight and Applejack’s eyes met each other briefly before flickering away. “Come on now. Let’s not make things more difficult than they already are. Say you’re sorry, both of you.”

Both mares shifted on their hooves. “Sorry I yelled,” Applejack managed curtly, looking away.

Twilight nodded. “Me too.” After a pause, she added more softly, “I just…want us all to find some healing, if we can. I don’t want this to break us.”

Applejack sighed. “I know, Twi, I know. I still don’t like the idea…but I’ll think on it. I will.”

There was a knock on the doorframe. “May we come in?”

Doctor Horse stood in the doorway with a Celestial Guard at his side. “Come in, come in!” Rarity sang with a wave of her hoof.

“I’m here to inform you that some of your families have arrived,” Doctor Horse said as they entered the room.

The girls fell silent with wide eyes. “W-Which…. which ones? I mean, which ones are here?” Fluttershy finally asked.

“So far, only the ones who are living here in Ponyville.”

The Celestial Guard, the one known as Silver Shield, pulled out a list. “Doctor Horse gave me visual conformation, but we wanted to run the names by you first. “For Applejack…”

Applejack swallowed.

“I have Apple Bloom, and Big Macintosh. Does that sound correct?”

“…Yes sir,” Applejack said quietly.

“And do you wish to meet with them at this particular time?”

“Yes…very much so.”

With a nod, Silver Shield continued. “For Rarity, I have Hondo Flanks, Cookie Crumbles, and Sweetie Bell. Is that correct?”

Rarity rolled back onto her stomach and sat up, her eyes shining with tears. “Yes…yes, it is.”

“Do you wish to meet with them at this particular time?”

“Of course I do.”

“Lastly, for Pinkie Pie—they’re not relatives, but they say you’ve lived with them for years and insist upon seeing you. I have Carrot Cake, Cup Cake, Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. Does that sound correct?”

Pinkie nodded vigorously. Silver Shield turned to Doctor Horse. “Are you sure she’s fit for this visit? She’s shocked to silence, and I worry it might have a negative effect on her or the children.”

Pinkie switched her anxious gaze to Doctor Horse, and he offered a small, reassuring smile.

“I don’t see why not. Miss Pie’s behavior’s been on the regular these past few hours. Her voice will come back to her when she herself is mentally ready to speak. Perhaps seeing those she loves might help a bit.”

Silver Shield nodded. “Very well.”

“Is…anypony here for Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked curiously. “Does Scootaloo still live in Ponyville?”

“Yes, she tried getting in, but I’ve told her that Rainbow Dash is not mentally fit to see anypony at the moment,” Doctor Horse said. “I’ve tried to explain that it might be a while before I clear miss Dash for visits, but she refuses to leave.”

“Oh—me and Twilight will see Scootaloo, if it’s alright,” Fluttershy said. “The poor thing was always like a sister to Rainbow, and we’ve always loved her. I’d hate for her to go home without seeing anypony.”

Doctor Horse rubbed his chin. “That can be arranged. I don’t want to crowd the room, so if you don’t mind, I’ll have you return to your respective rooms, so you’ll have some private time with your loved ones. I’ll start sending them up.”

As he and Silver Shield left the room, the girls shared looks ranging from excitement and disbelief to apprehension and absolute terror.

Twilight gave them all an encouraging smile. “It’ll be alright. Take as much time as you need, okay?”

Applejack nodded. “We’ll all need some time, that’s for certain.”

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Rarity said softly.

Pinkie wrote something down.

Nopony leaves without a hug!

Grins traveled around the room. “We wouldn’t dream of it, Sugarube,” Applejack chuckled, stepping forward. The five of them came together and held each other close, some exchanging kisses on the cheek like they used to do as sisters.

Twilight nuzzled Rarity, whispering “I love you too,” before turning to look around at the rest of her friends. “I love all of you, and Rainbow Dash too.” Her words were met with nods and sniffles, their eyes still fresh with sorrow over the state of their friend. “We’re not sisters by blood, I know. But I’d be lying if…” Twilight cleared her throat roughly, keeping her voice steady. “Even before Starlight’s spell, you’ve always been like a second family to me…sisters I never had. And you are that.”

“Likewise,” Rarity affirmed, offering a small smile.

“That goes for me too,” Applejack agreed.

“And me,” Fluttershy sniffled.

Pinkie Pie nodded, smiling as wide as she could.

They were home.

Applejack paced back and forth in her room, her breathing slightly uneven. She recalled everything Sunset had told her before they left for Ponyville. She missed so much of their lives, especially Apple Bloom’s. From the very day her little sister was born, Applejack had promised that she would always be there for her.

Now, as fate would have it, she had been absent from Apple Bloom’s life much longer than she had been present. It’s been so long…even if she managed to reassert herself back into her old life, things would never be the same, not really.

“Sakes alive,” said a hushed voice. “It really is you.”

Applejack froze. She knew that voice anywhere. It was a mare’s voice now, but it was still high and sweet, like a summer breeze. She turned slowly.

Apple Bloom stood there, staring into her eyes. She grew up, no question about it. Her cherry red mane was tied up in a bun, and a hot pink scarf was tied around her neck. She was a head taller than Applejack, a far cry from the little filly that barely came up to her middle. And most of all, her belly was swollen.

Filled with life.

Applejack watched as tears slipped down her ‘little’ sister’s face. “It really really is you, isn’t it, Applejack?”

Applejack tried to smile. “I, uh…I ain’t as big as I used to be.”

“Oh, who gives a hoot?” Apple Bloom rushed forward and tackled Applejack in a hug. “You’re here, you’re here with me,” she sobbed, kissing the top of her head.

Applejack bit her cheek hard to keep the sob from escaping her throat. She whispered her sister’s name over and over, squeezing her tightly. Apple Bloom either laughing or crying, she couldn’t tell.

Eventually, she forced herself to ease up. “Here, let me get a good look you.” She pulled back and took her sister in, inch by inch. She ran a hoof down her face. “Ain’t you a sight. Just as pretty as Mama was. Prettier even.”

“Nopony can compare to Mama,” Apple Bloom chuckled, wiping her eyes. “Nopony except you, Applejack.” She glanced at the doorway and stepped to the side. “It’s really her, Big Mac! See?”

Big Mac stood at the doorway, just barely fitting in. He was even larger than he was before, his muscles large from years of working at the farm, though not grotesque-looking. He’d grown a beard too, big and bushy. Her brother’s green eyes misted over as he gazed upon his sister. “Eeyup,” he said softly. “I see.” His voice had deepened considerably. It reminded Applejack of a low rumble of thunder before a storm.

She looked in between her siblings, her throat tightening. “I…I’m mighty sorry about my appearance…and my absence. T-There was a spell, and—”

Big Macintosh crossed the room in two strides and wrapped her up tightly in his embrace. Given his size, Applejack braced herself to be crushed, but he held her like she was the most fragile thing in the world. Big Mac buried his face into her neck, and his shoulders shook. His heavy breathing turned into gasps, and Applejack felt drops of water trickling down her backside.

“Oh, Mac…” Her own breathing started to shake as she held on tightly to her brother.

Still, she kept her composure for the sake of her family. The last thing they needed was to see their sister fall apart. The warm exchange lasted for another moment or two before Big Mac finally pulled away, albeit with great reluctance. He swallowed quietly and spoke in a quieter tone. “Welcome home.”

Apple Bloom reached out a hoof and ran a hoof her sister’s golden mane. “We missed you somethin’ awful, Sis. It’s been…” she winced in visible anguish, tears sliding down her face. She couldn’t go on.

“Now, now,” Applejack soothed, wiping away the mare’s tears.

Apple Bloom leaned her cheek into Applejack’s familiar caress and closed her eyes.

“Are you hurt?” Big Mac asked gently.

“No, I’m alright, relatively speaking. All things considering, I turned out pretty well, unlike Dash.”

“How is she?” Apple Bloom asked, her voice starting to gain its strength back. “Is she really as bad as the doctors say she is?”

“She might be, Sugarcube. I’m not entirely sure what her condition is, but she’s not herself.”

“Rainbow Dash’s a strong mare,” Bic Mac said assuredly. “Eighteen years won’t change that. She’ll pull through.”

“I hope so. The rest are fine, though Pinkie ain’t speakin’ and Fluttershy’s wing is…well, she can’t fly anymore.”

Apple Bloom gasped. “Goodness, no! D-Did Starlight—”

“No. She actually…saved her. It’s a long story. Fluttershy’s gonna be just fine. We’re all gonna be fine.”

“What y’all must have been through.” Apple Bloom’s voice started to shake, the realization hitting her. “Somewhere out there, ya’ll waited, waited all this time for us to come rescue you, but we never—”

“No, Apple Bloom, no. It wasn’t like that, it was…it’s complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Big Mac asked. “What did she do to you?”

Applejack wavered.

“It’s alright now, you can tell us, we’re your family.”

“…She…well, she…” A small, hysterical laugh bubbled out of her, earning more worried looks from Apple Bloom and Big Mac. She couldn’t help it though—now that she thought about it, really thought about it, her story suddenly seemed utterly ridiculous.

“Sis?”

“It’s alright, we’re right here.”

With another half-hearted giggle, Applejack replied, “She turned us into foals and raised us as her own daughters. She erased everything about us. Our cutie marks, our names, even our memories. Y’don’t need to worry about me waiting for somepony to rescue us, ‘cause I didn’t remember any of y’all! My family, my friends, everything I’ve ever done in my entire life—gone! Applejack didn’t exist. For eighteen years, there was only Sunshine Glimmer!”

The silence was deafening. Outside, the sounds of distant conversations and soft sobbing wafted up and down the hallway.

“Hoo,” Applejack sighed, her giggles subsiding. “That mare’s sure somethin’ else, ain’t she?”

There was a lull, then her hoof flew to her mouth.

Big Mac and Apple Bloom stood like statues. Big Mac was a big and strong stallion, but now it looked like even the smallest breath of wind could knock him off his hooves. And worse, Apple Bloom looked a little filly who had just lost her innocence.

Applejack stammered. “I…I’m sorry, I-I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know what…no, don’t look at me like that. Please don’t look at me like that. I’m sorry…”

Apple Bloom’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water before she cried out in pain, clutching her stomach. Applejack and Big Mac immediately moved to help, sliding up a chair and sitting her down. “No…no I’m fine,” Apple Bloom said between puffs.

“There’s a few nurses down the hall,” Applejack told Big Mac, who was already at the door.
“Mac, wait! Just…wait.” She breathed in and out as Big Mac slowly returned to her side, unsure. “Both of y’all just wait.”

Neither sibling looked happy about it, but they complied. They pulled up seats for themselves, and the three Apples sat together in silence.

The distant voices from the other rooms had died down, but a few select words were still audible. Applejack didn’t pay attention to any of them. She stared at Apple Bloom’s belly with apprehension and licked her lips. “We should really get a doctor or nurse to take a look at you.”

“No we shouldn’t, now just hold on and wait. We’re here for you, not for me.”

“Land sakes, you’re just as stubborn as I am.”

This brought a smile to Apple Bloom’s lips. “You say it like it’s a bad thing.”

The three of them chuckled softly and lapsed back into silence. The minutes ticked by, but they continued to sit still—Poised, breathing, taking each other in.

Finally, Applejack broke the long silence. “I’m sorry I said all that. I don’t know what got into me. I ought to know better, with your condition.”

“Dang it all, A.J., ain’t it just like you to worry about sompony else when you should be worryin’ about yourself. We shouldn’t have pressed you like that.”

“Is there anything else she did?” Big Mac asked.

He asked the question in a calm, steady tone, but his eyes burned with something that almost made Applejack want to scoot back in her chair. For a split second, she almost felt sorry for Starlight, because this was just a small taste of what the unicorn would have to face if she ever got caught.

“Well, she behaved like a mother, a strict one. Ultimately, she got us to help with her dirty work, but not much else.”

“She had no right to do that,” Apple Bloom near growled. “First she kidnaps you, then she had the nerve to pretend to have any kind of authority over you. Her day of reckoning will come, Applejack, make no mistake about that.”

“Alright now, take it easy. Let’s just focus on the good for now, alright? No more stress. How’s the family?”

Apple Bloom’s face brightened a little. “Oh, the Apple family tripled in size, Applejack. You should see ‘em. We’re spreadin’ like an epidemic. But Babs Seed’s got everypony beat when it comes to expanding the family. She sent me a letter just last week. Turns out she’s carrying her eleventh foal as we speak!”

Applejack’s eyes widened. “We’re talkin’ about Babs, right? Little Babs Seed with eleven kids?”

“Well, she’s got the means to support ‘em. She’s got that fancy hairdressing job in Manehattan—she even cuts celebrities’ manes sometimes! Ever since she got her cutie mark, she—oh pony feathers! I almost forgot!”

Grinning, she turned to the side. “Lookie here. After all that runnin, jumpin’ and crashing into things, I finally got my cutie mark. All three of us did, at the same time!” She gestured to the red and magenta colored shield on her flank with a little apple in the center. “You were right, A.J., about bein’ patient about getting my mark. Now I get to help ponies find their cutie marks. That’s my special talent.”

Applejack stared at her cutie mark with an odd expression on her face. For a while, she didn’t say anything.

“Applejack?”

Blinking, the farm pony shook her head. “T-That’s great, Sugarcube. Wow, that’s…that’s great! Wish I was there to see it.”

Apple Bloom beamed, and Big Mac smiled through his beard. “It’s good to have you back, Sis. The family’ll be thrilled to see you again. They’ll be traveling in from all over.”

“Speaking of family…” Applejack’s mouth quirked. “I heard that you two tied the knot with a couple ponies. Are they around?”

“Nope. We didn’t wanna overwhelm you, and they agreed to hold off a while ‘till we were sure.”

“Well, shoot, I’m fine. Next time y’all be sure to bring ‘em around.”

“Well, Snails is out there, but right now, he’s with the rest of them, keeping the crowds away from the Hospital. He’s on the Ponyville police force.”

“Police force?”

“It’s a long story. Snails isn’t the fastest officer they’ve got, but he’s real good at diffusing situations.” Apple Bloom’s eyes sparkled. “You’ll really like him, Applejack. He’s not like the colt he was when we were kids. He’s got a cool head and a way with words. He helped me through a lot.”

Applejack smiled warmly and patted her hoof. “Sugarcube, if you’re happy, then that’s good enough for me. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see that you two really would be alright if I really did pass on. It might be a while before we can figure out living arrangements. They’d like us to stay here a little bit longer, and…well, we’re not too keen on splitting up right now. Especially when Starlight’s on the loose.”

“Ohh, if Starlight were ever here,” Apple Bloom said, shaking her head. “I’d give it right to her. I’d hit her over the head with my skillet, and I’d tell her to go straight to Tartarus. Then I’d hoof her over to Snails, and he’d arrest her, lock her up for good.”

“I could do you one better ten times over,” Big Mac said in a matter of fact tone. “But as satisfying as it might be, it ain’t your place to serve punishment, nor is it mine. Only Applejack and her friends have the right to that, I reckon.”

Applejack’s smile dimmed, and she fiddled with the hospital band fastened around her hoof. “They want us to talk to a bunch of fancy head doctors. Try to straighten us out. Maybe I should at least try it like Twilight said. But I don’t know if I can. I don’t like the feeling of bein’ scrutinized, especially by strangers.”

“Hm. In my opinion, if it ends up helping you, Applejack, it’s not entirely a bad idea,” Big Mac said, rubbing her back. “They can help you with things other ponies can’t. But at the end of the day, it’s your decision. You don’t have to do anything you don’t wanna do.”

“I agree. It’s entirely up to you, but…if you want my two cents, it might be good for you. At least try a session or two, and if you don’t like it, you’ll never have to see ‘em again,” Apple Bloom said.

Applejack nodded, not looking up from her band.

The small white strip that bore her name started to blur, and something dripped onto her hoof. “…I trusted her. I trusted her with everything. Starlight…Starlight was my mother. And my friends were my sisters. Heck, they still are, but…I’m confused. She did it out of revenge, but…there were times. Times that I really thought she loved and cared for me. Can a pony really keep up that kind of act for eighteen years?”

She angrily wiped a hoof across her eyes. “She said she did me a favor, bein’ a momma to me when I had none. But I lost so much more. Your lives, my life…and the end of Granny Smith’s life.”

She sunk and curled into a little ball, wrapping her hooves around herself as she rocked back and forth.

“My momma isn’t Starlight Glimmer…Starlight Glimmer is Starlight Glimmer. But I still call her momma in my mind…is that bad?”

Apple Bloom and Big Mac exchanged worried glances.

“We got another one!” Eagle Eye shouted, grunting as he and his team dragged a wriggling silver net across the ground.

Roundabout let out a whoop as he rushed toward them, eyes shining. “Lookie there!”

Grinning, he knelt to peer at their latest catch. The dragon thrashed around and tried to breathe fire, but the flames quickly turned into faint puffs of smoke.

“Sorry, can’t do any of that,” Roundabout laughed, straightening up. “That there’s a magic dragon net. You can claw, scratch, and blow fireballs at me all day, but you’re not goin’ anywhere.” He looked up and extended his hoof with a smirk. “And neither are these lizards.”

Rows upon rows of special dragon cages were lined up before them, all ranging in different sizes and shapes. Angry hisses, growls, and even a few whines bounced off the cave walls, but Roundabout just laughed.

“Hope you like the place, ‘cause this is gonna be your new home from now on, least ‘till we get sometin’ good out of ya.”

The trapped dragon let out a growl of her own.

“We scored big with this one,” Eagle Eye said. “Just about the prettiest dragon we ever captured. Ponies’ll pay big for those pretty scales of hers.”

Roundabout nodded. “You’re not wrong about that. Look like a damn near Queen.” He smiled widely, showing his yellow teeth. “Queen of the lizards! That’s what we’ll call ya! How’s that sound, sweetie?”

“Hmm. I’d much rather prefer ‘Princess of the Night’.”

Roundabout’s eyes bulged, and the group of wranglers froze. “Wh-What the—”

A bright light exploded from inside the net, blinding them all. The wranglers screamed and shielded their eyes, dropping the net.

When the light finally dimmed, a tall, slender alicorn stood amongst the net’s remains, rolling around a stiff shoulder. “But after tracking me, attacking me and trapping me in a net, ‘Princess of the Night’ seems a little bit too formal at this point, wouldn’t you say?”

“P-Princess Luna!” The wranglers fell onto their faces, trembling and shaking. “W-We didn’t…” Eagle Eye stammered. “We thought that—”

“Yes, yes, I fooled you,” Luna said impatiently, rolling her eyes. “Why are you capturing dragons and treating them in such a horrid manner?”

The wranglers shivered, their faces still on the ground.

“SPEAK!”

Roundabout jumped and spoke in a tremulous voice. “D…Dragons are a great commodity in Equestria, your excellency. M-Most of their greatest features are of great value. Their teeth and scales alone are extremely valuable.”

Luna’s eyes narrowed. “And when a dragon is stripped of all of his or her ‘valuable’ assets? What exactly becomes of them?”

Shaking, Roundabout couldn’t find it in himself to answer, but he didn’t need to.

Luna uttered a sound of disgust. She let out a low whistle, and numerous Lunar guards swarmed the cave. The wranglers gasped in fear, but they didn’t dare move. “I’ve heard whispers of dragon wranglers near these lands, but I very well couldn’t ask around, else you’d simply pack up and move on. Normally, my sister would deal with matters such as this, but her hooves are tied at the moment.” An unnerving mile snaked across her face. “So that leaves you with me.”

Some of the wranglers whimpered.

“Recently, I’ve sent out my pupil to scout the grounds, but he has yet to return. Speak the truth. Is a dragon by the name of Spike amongst these poor souls?”

“Truthfully, we do not know of a dragon by that name, your grace,” Eagle Eye gulped. “We…we don’t know any of their names. W-We call them by numbers!”

Luna bristled and spoke through clenched teeth. “Then tell me of the recent dragons you’ve caught. More specifically, ones with purple and green scales.”

“Oh!” one wrangler exclaimed. “We have a dragon of that description! We brought it in a couple of weeks ago!”

“Oh, yeah!” Roundabout said, raising his face a little. “He brought him in a couple weeks ago! Bought him from that dame!” He shrank back from Luna’s hardened gaze and lifted a shaky hoof. “H-He’s near the back…number forty-six!”

“Arrest these delinquents,” Luna told the guards. They saluted and closed in on the wranglers while she turned and flew toward the cages.

With each row she passed, Luna struck the dragon-resistant padlocks with a spell, rendering them cracked and useless on the ground. “You are all free to go!” she announced, paying little attention to the cheers and whoops that followed. “Spike! Spike, where are you?”

“Luna? Is that you?”

A pair of green eyes peered at her behind thick bars. “Spike!” Luna immediately fired a blast at Spike’s padlock and it dropped like a stone at her hooves. The magic from the padlock faded, and Spike swung his cage open. “Thank goodness you’re alright. Spike, there’s been news. News that will be of shock to you as it was to me. Twilight is…Twilight is alive, and so are her friends.”

Spike’s eyes widened, and his jaw went slack. “So…so it was her!”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“B-Before I was captured, she…Twilight. I knew it! Twilight’s alive…Twilight’s alive! I’ve gotta go find her!”

He raised his wings to take flight, but Luna stopped him. “No, Spike, she’s safe in Ponyville, they all are. But I need you to come and help me track down Starlight Glimmer.”

Spike blinked. “Starlight Glimmer…Starlight Glimmer…don’t I know that name from somewhere?”

“She was the one behind the elements’ disappearance, and we need to go quickly before her trail runs cold!”

“But I have to get to Twilight! She needs me!” He tried taking off again, but Luna’s magic wrapped around his tail, pulling him back down.

“I know you want nothing more than to be with her. But if you come with me and track Starlight down, you’ll be protecting her from danger.”

Spike looked down in surprise.

Luna’s face remained in its hardened mask, but her eyes were soft and tender as she regarded her pupil. “Twilight and the others are the most courageous and trustworthy ponies I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. They’ve been there for me and my sister more times than I can count. To allow the pony responsible for their kidnapping disappear into the shadows would be a great disservice to them. The guards are searching far and wide, but between the two of us, I know we can catch her. But we’ll have to act quickly. If she gets away, she could easily come back anytime she pleases and harm Twilight when she least expects it.” She gazed at him searchingly. “Do you wish that upon her?”

She watched as Spike’s expression shifted from anxiousness to hard determination. “Not in a million years,” he murmured, clenching his fist. “I won’t let anypony hurt her again. I’m with you, Luna.”

The alicorn nodded. “Good.” Her ears suddenly perked up, and she turned to see a large group of dragons standing behind her. Several pairs of eyes blinked at her and she frowned. “I told you that you’re all free to go. You needn’t stay in this foul place!”

“We know,” said one of the dragons, cocking her head slightly. “You…could have just walked past us and came for the dragon you were looking for, but you let us all go free.” She raised a curious eyebrow, though her stance remained defensive. “How come?”

“Why on earth would I leave you here?” Luna returned, looking slightly offended. “Those ponies had no right to hold you all here, and they’ll be punished to the full extent of the Equestrian Law. There’s probably more of them lurking, but my guards will seek them out. Now, if you’ll kindly excuse us, we have a certain unicorn to apprehend.”

She started to move forward, but some of the dragons stood in her path. “We don’t like owing ponies,” said another dragon, crossing his arms. “Especially princess ponies like you.”

Luna fought the urge to groan in annoyance. “Well, I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience, but we must go.”

“Don’t you get what we’re trying to say here?” the first dragon said irritably, once again blocking Luna’s path. “You just freed us from years of possible imprisonment and humiliation. Maybe even death. We dragons take these things very seriously. We owe you a great debt, one that we have every intention of repaying.”

Before Luna could respond, Spike interjected. “Then you can start by not declaring ponies as your enemies. The ponies that held us here aren’t like the others, but they’re not wimps either. I’ve told you that time and time again! I know the relationship between ponies and dragons are bad, but maybe you can change that, Ember.”

“You know I don’t have the authority to do that,” Ember argued. “Only Dragon Lord Garble can do that, and he’s not the sort to make nice with ponies.”

“But you’re a princess!”

“Was a princess. With Garble on the throne, I have no interest in standing anywhere beside him.”

“Even so, Princess Luna just saved a bunch of dragons. He’ll have to listen to reason then.”

Ember snorted. “Reason. But, I’ll speak in your favor.”

“Great.”

Spike and Luna started pushing through the crowd and Ember followed them. “You know, you’re really bent on finding…what did you call her? Glamour?”

“Starlight Glimmer. If we lose her, we could lose her for good,” Luna said.

“And catching this pony would mean a lot to you, wouldn’t it?” The two stopped short and glanced back at Ember.

“It would mean everything,” Spike said quietly. “The mares I told you about…they’ll never be truly safe with Starlight on the loose.”

Ember nodded. “Well, if it means that much, even to a royal sister, then I’ll help you out. I can track her down for you, no sweat.”

“Me too,” said one dragon.

“And me,” said another. “I was about to be made into shoes!”

All at once, the dragons surrounded them in a circle, voicing their assent. Stomps and whistles filled the air.

Luna’s head whipped from side to side, baffled. “You’re…willing to help us?”

“A favor for a favor. We’ll help you scout out Stoplight—”

“Starlight.”

“Whatever. And we’ll see about fixing relations between ponies and dragons, though I guarantee nothing. But that’s it. We’re even then. No more owed. Understand?”

“I suppose so,” Luna said slowly, recovering from her confusion. “Thank you. We’re looking for a unicorn with a pale pink coat with a purple mane and tail lined with blue streaks. She’s very powerful with magic, so I suggest proceeding with extreme caut—”

“Got it! You heard the mare!” Ember shouted. The dragons rallied together, butting heads and letting out roars as they geared themselves up for the hunt. “First one to find her earns a dragon’s feast! LET’S GOOOOOO!”

With a few deafening roars, the dragons charged out of the cave and launched into the sky, spreading out in all different directions. “W-Wait!” Luna shouted as the dragons dispersed. “Don’t harm her!” She drew in a breath, then bellowed in her royal canterlot voice, “If you find her, bring her back unharmed!”

Soundwaves rippled through the clouds, and Luna shook her head. “With a bunch that riled up, there’s not telling what condition they’d bring her back in.”

Spike’s mouth twitched as he watched the skies. “And you say I get too excited about my dragon code. We’re rough around the edges, but when dragons help out, we help out big.”

They spread their wings and took off into the sky. “Luna, I think I’ve seen Starlight before. Before I got captured, I saw a mare of your description with Twilight.”

“Tell me everything, Spike.”

Author's Note

This was a wet chapter, could wring me out :rainbowderp:

First of all, thank you all so much for the lovely support for this story. So many of you have expressed to me how glad you are that this story is continuing. Thank you, and I'll try and update more often.

A lot of things have changed since their disappearance, so some things won't be as they are now in the show. Starlight took the mane six shortly after their encounter with tantabus in season 5, so everything afterward never happened or happened differently.

Next chapter Rarity's reunions are up next, and we'll also be checking in with Starlight as well. Please let me know what needs improving or clarifying!

Chapter 19 - Forever Filly

“And so you see, it’s all my fault, momma,” Pearl concluded, her eyes downcast. “I was the one who pressured everypony to go outside the mountain. Please don’t punish the others. They tried to stop me, but I didn’t listen.”

“Oh, mother, we could have easily stopped her,” Sapphire said dismissively, ignoring Pearl’s look of indignation. “We went on our own accord, because we wanted to be rebellious. Pearl was just spouting off nonsense—nonsense which we could have and should have ignored. She simply didn’t know any better.”

Pearl’s sky-blue eyes lit up with anger. “What are you talking about? I did know better! Well, I didn’t at that time, but—I just—well you know what I mean!”

Sapphire rolled her eyes. “Pearl, please. You get your head stuck in the oats jar every other week and you still think that your shadow can move on its own when you’re not looking. Listening to you was more than foolish on our part, mine especially.”

Pearl jumped down from the couch. “What are you doing!? Why are you trying to cover up for me? Why do you guys always DO that?”

“Pearl—”

“NO!”

Starlight and Sapphire watched as Pearl stomped her hooves in fury. Though even in complete rage, the pink pony still managed to look strangely humorous with her teeth overly bared. “I’m so sick of you guys taking the blame when it’s ME who causes trouble! It was MY idea, and I’M the one who pressured everypony to go!”

She turned to Starlight, slapping a hoof to her own chest. “If you should punish anypony, punish ME, momma. I take all the blame!” She slapped her hoof again, but this time she winced, and gingerly pulled her injured hoof away. “Ow. Broken tree branch.” She briefly sucked on it, and Starlight sighed.

“Enough, ladies, both of you. I’m extremely disappointed in you all, but I’m not going to punish anypony. What you’ve all been through with that tiger was punishment enough.”

“But…” Pearl said. “I—”

Starlight held a hoof under her chin. “You made an unwise decision. But let it be the only one. The next time you actively disobey me, you will receive punishment.”

To Starlight’s apparent surprise, Pearl’s expression turned hopeful. “I will?”

“Er—yes, Pearl. To the fullest extent.” She held back an eyeroll as Pearl beamed. “Now go and rest. You’ve had a hard day. Be careful not to wake the others.”

Pearl nodded and walked a few paces before turning back. “Aren’t you coming, Saph?”

“In a minute,” Sapphire replied, rubbing at her foreleg. “I’m…not quite tired yet.”

Pearl raised an eyebrow but didn’t question it. “Okay.” She looked to Starlight with a gentle remorse. “I really am sorry, momma.”

Starlight nodded serenely. “I forgive you, dear. Go on to bed now.” As soon as Pearl left for the girls’ bedroom, Starlight’s gaze shifted to Sapphire, who sat with her head bowed. “You know, I feel like making some coffee. Would you care for a cup?”

Sapphire blinked several times before raising her head, her eyes wide. “Would I…. a cup of coffee? Me, drink coffee with you?”

“Yes. Would you like some?”

Sapphire repositioned herself on the couch, babbling out jumbled words before settling on a solid answer. “Y…Yes? Yes. I would.”

Starlight smiled and moved toward the kitchen. As she set the kettle on the stove, Sapphire lowered herself from the couch, not taking her eyes off her mother. “I-It’s just that coffee…well, it’s your drink, isn’t it?”

“On a day like today,” Starlight sighed, sitting at the dining room table. “A strong cup of coffee is just what I need. You too, I believe.” Using her hooves, she untied her ponytail, and let her mane fall over her shoulders. With another sigh, she leaned back in her chair and rubbed her shoulder.

Sapphire had yet to pick her jaw off the floor. She had never seen her mother this way before. Mane loose, slouched position, and offering her coffee…this was quite a day indeed.

Starlight lazily opened her eyes and gestured Sapphire over. The little unicorn obeyed, sitting on the chair beside her mother. “You’ve never let us drink coffee before,” she couldn’t help saying. “You’ve always said it was an adult’s drink.”

A subdued chuckle escaped Starlight. “Well, you’re on your way. Thirteen, my, my.” She sighed again, her eyes wandering. “You’re practically a young mare.”

Sapphire’s face fell, and her eyes fell to the table. “I haven’t been acting like one. We…I betrayed your trust.”

“Well, as I’ve said, I’m disappointed, but I’m no longer angry. You are all forgiven, Sapphire. Just let this be a lesson for you all and leave it at that.”

“Your forgiveness makes me feel worse,” Sapphire mumbled, her ears flattening against her head. “We don’t deserve a mother like you.”

Starlight gave her a leveling stare. “Let me decide what you do and don’t deserve. You made a mistake, but that doesn’t mean you girls don’t deserve my…”

Her sentence trailed off, and Sapphire looked up curiously.

“….my love.” Her features relaxed, and she sat up straighter. “You’re a pony, Sapphire, and ponies make mistakes.”

“You don’t make mistakes,” Sapphire said. “Not like us. Not like me.”

“Hmm. I was a teenager once too, you know.” She rested a chin on her hoof, and she smiled in faint reminiscence. “Stubborn. Rebellious…a complete outsider.”

Sapphire stared at her incredulously. “You?”

“Yes…unfortunately.” Her smile twisted into a look of distaste. “Oh, I was a dreadful thing. Wearing all black and drawing my bedroom curtains so I could always dwell in the dark. I wanted so badly to stand out from the rest. For a long time, I had convinced myself that I was better than all the other ponies in my grade. ‘Losers’, I called them. ‘Uncool’, ‘Lame’. I was…lost. Broken.”

Sapphire hung on to her every word, transfixed. “I never would have thought that you used to be that! Not in a million years! It’s…hard to even picture you as a teenager.”

Starlight chuckled. “Oh, yes. Pimples, hormones and all.”

Sapphire lightly tapped her hoof on the table. “Um…have you um…” She bit her lip. “Have you thought about boys?”

“Oh…sometimes, yes.” She turned a suspicious eye on Sapphire. “Why? Have you seen any boys when you went out?”

“Just a few glances,” Sapphire lied. The girls were careful to omit the part when they had met and interacted with the Cake twins. “They…some of them looked nice. Cute, I mean.” Sapphire’s cheeks burned at her choice of words, suddenly mortified that she was discussing this with her mother.

But Starlight simply smiled and patted Sapphire’s hoof. “You’ll get to know them in time. Right now, I want to make sure that you girls are mentally and emotionally prepared to deal with other ponies, let alone be in a relationship. A pony’s heart is special. It’s important for us to protect it.”

Sapphire nodded. “Yes, mother.”

The kettle screamed, and Starlight used her magic to turn off the stove. Sapphire watched as her mother rose from her chair and prepared the cups.

As the mugs clinked against the counter, a thought entered Sapphire’s mind. “Um…mother? My special somepony…what if…what if he doesn’t understand Equality? What if he doesn’t want to be equal with other ponies?”

Starlight raised her eyebrows but didn’t pause in her preparing. “Well, it’s like I’ve always taught you, my starling. The ponies of Equestria…most of them are blinded by cutie marks. They’ve been deceived their whole lives. I imagine it’ll be difficult for you to find a pony who will appreciate the ways of Equality, but it’s not impossible.”

Sapphire thought a moment. “I could persuade him,” she offered. “It wouldn’t be his fault, if he was taught to think that way all his life. If you changed, why couldn’t he?”

Starlight looked back at Sapphire and grinned. “I’ve taught you well.”

Sapphire sat up straight, pleased as punch. It wasn’t long before Starlight brought over two steaming cups of coffee and set them down. “You’ve always had a generous heart, Sapphire. Careful, it’s hot. I have no doubts that you’ll do well in spreading our knowledge to others.” Her eyes flickered over to the girls’ bedroom and back. “And you were very generous in taking the blame in Pearl’s stead. But you do realize that she’ll have to start taking responsibility for her actions. You girls can’t shield her all the time.”

Sapphire sighed. “Oh, I know, mother. It’s just that…it’s Pearl. So much has happened. Buttercup can’t fly, and she blames herself. The others got seriously injured, but she and I escaped with only a few scrapes and bruises.” She shook her head. “I don’t want her to carry that kind of burden. I’d much rather it be me instead of her.”

After a moment of silence, Starlight raised her cup to her lips. “Those are a young mare’s thoughts if I’m not mistaken.”

Sapphire smiled and took a ginger sip of her very first cup of coffee. Her nose wrinkled instantly.

Ew. Bitter.

“So, lemme get this straight,” Cookie Crumbles said, glaring hard over her horn-rimmed glasses. “This pony—Starlight Glimmer. She just…took you in the middle of a storm and turned you into foals? That’s where you’ve been all these years?”

An uneasy smile spread across Rarity’s face. “That’s correct.”

Hondo Flanks, her father, sat in a chair, stunned. “Why?” he rasped. His body had grown frail over the years, and his thick, bushy mustache had greyed.

“It’s…complicated. Long story short, we had a rather big hoof in destroying the system she built for her little village, and…she overreacted. Just a bit.” Rarity uttered a few slow chuckles before clearing her throat.

Hondo rubbed a foreleg across his eyes, and Cookie Crumbles uttered a strong curse word under her breath. There was another squeeze around Rarity’s neck, and she grunted.

“Sweetie, stop squeezing your sister so hard, hon,” Hondo said, giving a half-gesture.

Sweetie Belle gave a sheepish smile and quickly slid off Rarity’s bed, though she remained close.

Even though the urge to rub at her sore neck was strong, Rarity couldn’t help grinning. She was still smarting from Sweetie Belle’s full on tackle when her family walked through the door, but she was more than willing to endure a few more pain-filled hugs from her little sister. “I still can’t get over how beautiful you are,” she cooed, tapping a hoof under Sweetie Belle’s chin. “You could easily outshine even the fairest models in Manehattan.”

Sweetie let out a feathery laugh with a snort, flipping her mane nervously. “Thank you, but…I don’t know. Maybe I could, with some work. I’m actually wanting to lose a few pounds.”

“Again with the pounds,” Cookie sighed, shaking her head. “I keep telling her she’s gorgeous, ain’t she gorgeous, Hondo?”

“Yep,” Hondo said tiredly, his eyes still dark.

“See?”

“Oh, ho ho, let’s not do this in front of Rarity.” Sweetie laughed with great emphasis and turned to her sister. “Forget all that. I’d rather talk about you. What…what you’ve been through with that mare. I mean…she made you forget everything!”

Rarity fiddled with the end of her tail. “It was…a life.”

“Yeah, a life she fabricated,” Cookie spat, shifting in her seat. “You’re my daughter. Mine. An’ she just went and took you away like it was nothin’!” With a large sniff, she pulled her purse into her lap and fished for something. “I carried you in my stomach, I gave birth to you, and I’m the one who raised you. Not some delusional tramp.”

Hondo put a hoof over his wife’s and pulled it out of her purse, entrapping it. “Honey…”

“No. Don’t tell me to calm down!” she almost shouted, though she didn’t pull her hoof away. “We thought…we buried her, an’ she knew. She knew!”

Rarity winced. “Mother, I…I’m sorry.”

Cookie closed her eyes and took a few calming breaths. “No, hon,” she said after a moment. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry for…” She waved a hoof in the air. “Mm.”

Rarity cleared her throat. “Well, um…how is school, Sweetie Belle?”

Sweetie raised an eyebrow. “School? Oh, you mean my music classes. My students are the greatest. So eager to learn, all bright-eyed and bushy tailed! You should hear them sing, Rarity. Like a choir of little angels.”

“I bet they do,” Rarity chirped, reaching down beside her bed. “Now, look what I have. I requested this from the gift shop downstairs.” She pulled out a small, plush teddy bear with a red bow-tie. “For you!”

“Oh!” Sweetie exclaimed, holding the teddy bear in her hooves. “Why, Rarity, I…I don’t know what to say. Giving me gifts at a time like this…you really are the best.” Her green eyes misted over. “I wish we could’ve gotten you more than flowers, but…the news… it was on such short notice.”

“Oh, nonsense. The flowers are lovely,” Rarity said, gesturing to the vase full of daffodils on the side table. “Besides, the teddy bear is just the tip of the icing! Your gifts will be much more extravagant for your eleventh birthday. Oh, I’m so glad I’ve returned in time for your special day. We’ll have cake and ice cream and everything!”

She reached up and stroked Sweetie’s soft curls. “We’ll even see if we can get Sapphire Shores to sing for you and your classmates. How does that sound?”

Sweetie Belle’s smile froze. “Uhm…. that’s…nice Rarity, but…” She giggled nervously. “Sapphire Shores is…is long retired and I’m turning twenty-ni…” She trailed off upon seeing the blank smile on Rarity’s face. “Sis, I’m not…we aren’t…”

She looked to her parents, but they seemed just as baffled. “I mean…”

“You’re not what, darling?”

With a soft, barely-repressed whimper, Sweetie swallowed and beamed widely. “…Thank you. I…I love my present…Rares.”

“Ooh, you’re quite welcome, Sweetie. Now you tell the rest of the Crusaders to come visit when they have the chance.”

A loud wail burst out in the hallway, making them all jump.

“Good heavens!” Cookie Crumbles gasped, holding a hoof to her heart.

“What was that?” Hondo said alertly, halfway out of his chair.

Rarity’s eyes clouded over. “That would be Rainbow Dash. Sit back down, father, it’s no concern of yours.”

“Whatever happens to any of your friends is a concern of mine,” Hondo said, but sunk back down in his chair.

“Oh, that’s sweet, but you don’t have to worry. The doctors are taking care of her. She’ll pull through…hopefully.”

Cookie Cutter sighed sharply and started digging through her purse again.

“Mom, what are you looking for?” Sweetie asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Cookie just shook her head and pulled out a silver flask.

Sweetie swallowed hard and tried to keep her voice light. “Mom, you promised.”

The top twisted open.

“Mom.”

Cookie stood up from her chair, flask in hoof. “I don’t tell you how to live your life, Sweetie Belle,” she muttered, turning away and leaving the room.

“Hon,” Hondo called back, but he made no move to stop her. Sighing, he rubbed at his eyes.

Sweetie Belle blinked rapidly and moved away from Rarity’s bed. “Excuse me,” she squeaked, and ran out of the room, gasping quietly.

Rarity watched the whole scene with a look of incomprehension and turned to her father, who looked utterly exhausted. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, dumplin’. When we thought you were gone, it’s just been real hard for all of us. Your sister…” He scratched at the back of his neck. “She used to have trouble sleepin’ most nights. Got so rough, she slept in our bed until she was fourteen. For a long time, she blamed herself for not tryin’ harder to get you stay inside until that storm passed.”

“Why, that’s not true at all!” Rarity exclaimed. “I was more than determined to clear the debris, I doubt anypony could have stopped me that night. I had a job to do, a responsibility to Ponyville!”

Hondo nodded absently. “She didn’t care how little she was. She punished herself…for a long while. And your mother…well, she took up a bad habit over the years. We’re tryin’ to get her to break it, but…it’s hard. Hard business.”

Rarity stared at her father with concern. “And…. what about you?”

Hondo gave a small smile. “I held down the fort.” With a grunt, he got up and moved beside Rarity. “Oh, my Rarity,” he exhaled, gently pulling her against him and planting a kiss on her temple. “Rarity, Rarity. I missed you.”

Rarity smiled in content, and curled up against her father, careful not to overwhelm his thinned frame. “Now that I remember you, I missed you too. You, mother, Sweetie…and Opal too.”

“…. Yeah. Opal.”

“I’m sorry that I don’t spend as much time with you as I ought to. Once I’m cleared to leave, I’ll be sure to cancel all meetings with my clients and we’ll take some time away. Perhaps an entire week or two. Just us, as a family.”

Hondo held her closer. “That would be great, dumplin’. That would be great.”

Starlight panted as she slogged through the swamp, her eyes glued to the sky. The further she went, the harder it was to pull her hooves out of the muck as she ran. Her mane had come loose, hanging in stringy, filthy clumps over her shoulders. Scrapes and cuts stung her legs, but she didn’t dare stop.

She swallowed hard between pants in a vain effort to soothe her burning throat.

Keep going. Keep going. Keep going.

“Smolder, wait up!”

Starlight jerked to a halt.

“You’re not trying to find her first, are ya?”

With a sharp gasp, Starlight dove into several stalks of cattails. She quietly cast a concealment spell for good measure and held her breath.

“Course not!” a second voice replied. “Like I said, we’ll split the feast fifty-fifty. Just stop being a slow-poke. This place would be perfect for hiding.”

“Yeah, for a good reason. This place is huge! She’ll take forever to find if she’s here, and it’ll be a huge waste of time if she isn’t.”

“Then we’ll split up. You go over there, and I’ll look over here.”

“Mmm…alright. Just don’t go flying off with her if you catch that unicorn.”

“Same goes for you, Blaze.”

Brief sounds of light slapping and clapping followed. “A’ight. Meet back here in ten?”

“You got it.”

Starlight continued to lay still, even long after the voices and wing beats disappeared. Crickets chirped, and dragonflies buzzed and zipped around in the humid air. Breathing thinly through her nose, Starlight eventually rose from the cattails. Her coat was now filthy beyond hope, with dirt and mud stains reaching up to her chin.

Her hoof scratched furiously at her neck as her eyes searched around hopelessly. She didn’t know a whole lot about dragons, but she couldn’t fathom why any dragon would be searching for a random unicorn, let alone two of them. No, they were looking for her, Starlight was certain.

She figured that when the news broke out, ponies would be hunting her down. What dragons had to gain from catching her, she had no idea. The relationship between ponies and dragons has been severed for years. Perhaps a large bounty had been placed on her head, and the reward was so grand, even the dragons couldn’t resist getting a piece of the action. Either way, it didn’t matter. Her window of escape was closing, and fast.

There was nowhere else to hide if the dragons truly had pitched in. Their eyes are said to be sharper than an eagle’s. Her shoulders sagged, still standing amongst the cattails.

Before her mind could begin to form her next move, a nearby rustle made her jump. A shrill terror formed in her stomach and traveled up her throat, but she bit down on her tongue, preventing a scream.

A brief glint of light shone across a glassy surface, and a figure emerged from the darkness. Starlight crouched low, but she knew she had already been seen. She was debating weather or not she should cast a spell on the figure when a voice called out her name in a hushed whisper.

“S…Starlight?”

Starlight’s heart stopped. Hovering in silent shock, her eyes lifted to the figure. “Sunburst,” she whispered haltingly.

Sunburst’s eyes widened further upon realization. “Starlight…STARL—!”

Starlight was on him in seconds, clamping a hoof over his mouth. “Don’t,” she hissed frantically, keeping her voice as soft as possible. “There are dragons nearby.”

Sunburst grew even more alarmed. “Drmmph-mmph!?”

“Shut up,” she squeaked. “Please!”

“Hey Blaze, any luck?”

Starlight promptly dragged a flailing Sunburst into an underbrush. Once they were properly hidden, Sunburst shrugged Starlight off. “What are you doing here?” he whispered through clenched teeth.

“Shhh!”

“No, no ‘shh’! You are in a Tartarus amount of trouble!”

Starlight gulped weakly. “What have you heard?”

Sunburst wheezed and laughed at the same time. “What have I heard? We’re near one of the darkest parts of Equestria, and even I’ve heard talk about what you’ve done to those poor mares! I didn’t want to believe it, but seeing you hiding and skulking about like this just confirmed it.”

“Sunburst…”

Two raspy voices lingered in the distance. “Sunburst, hide me, please.”

Sunburst drew in a shocked, angry breath. “Absolutely no—”

“No, you have to, don’t you see!? You’re my only hope—”

“Hope? There is no hope for you here, you’re a wanted mare! And I could be charged with harboring a fugitive!”

“Sunburst, please. Please. I have nowhere else to go. Please...”

Sunburst pressed his lips together, his eyes bright with fury as the gears turned in his head. He glared at her for a long moment before letting out a semi-quiet groan. “Follow me,” he finally muttered, turning away from her.

Nodding dumbly, Starlight followed Sunburst through a number of twists and turns, ducking under branches and avoiding odd little creatures that blinked their eyes at them. The voices of the dragons soon faded, but Starlight refused to let her guard down. It was possible that Sunburst was simply leading her into a trap of some kind, but she had little options. If she were to be turned in by anyone, she’d rather it be Sunburst. Just the thought of being in the clutches of a ferocious dragon made her legs shake.

Before long, Sunburst and Starlight slipped under the leaves of a weeping willow tree and came upon a small clearing with a pile of logs thrown together in the center. A few knickknacks and belongings were placed none too neatly on the ground beside the logs. A pot here, a book there.

Sunburst moved quickly over to retrieve something from the pile while Starlight lifted her eyes to the sky. The trees were so thick here, only the faintest bit of moonlight streamed in from between the leaves. Too thick for the dragons to see through, unless they thought to burn the trees down.

“Um…Sunburst?”

There was no reply.

Starlight ran a hoof along the grass. “Sunburst, where are we, exactly? I, um...when I ran from the guards, I…I just ran and teleported, back and forth. I didn’t really know where I was going. I just had to get away.”

Sunburst snorted. “Well, you got away alright. But you might wanna escape to freedom, you’re going the wrong way. This is Hayseed Swamp, not too far from the Badlands. If you don’t want to run into trouble, you’d be wise not to go any further. Hungry?” He threw an oversized leaf on the ground and spilled a few berries on top of it. “Sorry I couldn’t provide warmer food,” he almost sneered. “But since we’re being hunted by dragons now, making a fire would undoubtedly draw some unwanted attention toward ourselves.”

Starlight watched him sadly but nodded. “Thank you.”

“Hmmph.”

She waked over to her meal and slowly sat down. Her muscles burned and ached, but she ignored it. Sunburst scuttled around camp, muttering under his breath and making fussy adjustments. “Would have loved to make some nice, hot porridge for myself tonight, but noooo.”

Quiet sounds of the swamp filled the air. And with it, light sobbing. Sunburst jerked around to see Starlight suddenly curled in a ball, weeping. “There’s no use crying about it,” he said with the shake of his head. “After all those years of plotting and scheming, you had to have known this day would come.”

Small, breathy gasps escaped Starlight as she wept. “My daughters,” she managed before collapsing back into uncontrollable sobbing.

Rough hooves grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. “What is the matter with you!?” Sunburst hissed. “They were never yours to begin with. You took them away from six other families and made them think they were dead.”

“But they were mine!” Starlight said in an almost pleading tone. Tears slipped down her face. “They were. Moonlight, Sunshine, Prism…Sapphire, Buttercup, Pearl. They’re…they’re gone now.” Her bottom lip quivered, and her breathing came in quick, ragged bursts as the reality finally hit her. “They’re gone. My starlings, they’re…and they all hate me…”

“And for good reason. Whatever feelings they might have felt toward you was based on lies. And what would you care?” Sunburst glanced back at Starlight’s tear-stained face, and she pitifully wiped at her nose. “Stars above,” he muttered, digging inside one of his personal belongings and pulling out a hanky. “Here.”

Starlight pitifully accepted the hanky and blew half-heartedly.

“You should know, no matter how far you run, they’ll catch you eventually. They have every bit of firepower after you, and its only been a day.”

“I do,” Starlight said with a weak nod. She paused, looking down at her berries. “I guess the girls’ families are coming to see them now, aren’t they?”

“Don’t you hear what I’m saying? You’re looking at a lifetime in the dungeons—possibly a death penalty!”

“There hasn’t been a pony tried with death in the last five decades or so,” Starlight said, though she looked uncertain.

“Well, they might make an exception for you.”

Starlight brushed away her tears and scowled. “Well if you hate me that much, why don’t you just go ahead and throw me on the Castle’s doorstep? I bet you could get a load of money for it!” She erupted in a series of tear-filled coughs, and she covered her mouth with the hanky.

Sunburst glared at her but sighed heavily. “I don’t hate you.” With small hesitation, he turned to one of his duffle bags and levitated a bottle of peroxide, a bag full of cotton balls, and a box of bandages into the air. “Misery loves company, I suppose.”

Starlight’s aura encased the medical supplies and gave a grateful nod. As she slowly set to work on her injuries, she glanced over at him at the corner of her eye. “What are you doing here?” she asked softly. “I figured you’d be in some sort of castle or teaching magic to a bunch of unicorns somewhere. How did you get in a place like this?”

Sunburst looked at her, and she could immediately see the pain reflected in his pale blue eyes. Now clearly wasn’t the time. Shutting her mouth, Starlight focused back on the peroxide.

With weighed down steps, Sunburst plopped down across from Starlight, lifting a canteen to his lips. Now they had settled down, Starlight was able to take in Sunburst’s appearance. His bright orange mane had small streaks of grey in it, as did his long, thin beard. His eyes were shielded with round spectacles, but they didn’t cover up the bags that settled under his eyes.

His usually pristine hooves were cracked and rough. She couldn’t see what the rest of his body looked like, for his torn, dark brown cloak concealed him from neck to hoof.

This only spiked Starlight’s curiosity even further, but she decided to hold off questions for now. The unicorn held back a hiss as the medicine came in contact with one of her cuts.

“I don’t need to know why you did what you did,” Sunburst said, staring out into the distance. “Frankly, there’s nothing the heroes of Equestria could have done to deserve that. But you’re going to have to figure out you plan to do next. You can’t stay here, and neither can I.”

Starlight paused, and gave him a long, hard look. “You’re running too, aren’t you?”

Sunburst simply took another sip out of his canteen.

With a sigh, Starlight resumed in her self-mending. “I was just trying to make it a better world. An age-old truth that has been long forgotten by our generation. A truth that everypony, young or old, rich or poor, royal or subject is equal. I really did want to help ponies. And with that came sacrifices!”

She sniffled and suppressed a sob in her throat. “I meant to hurt them too, but in the end, I gave them a gift! I made them see, and they were good. They were so good. They’re still good…. They’re still mine…maybe? I don’t know…”

Sunburst put away his canteen and dragged over a beaten-up looking pillow with his magic. “Just…stay the night of you need too, Starlight. I’m tired, and I just…I just want to rest. I’ve lost enough rest staying up with you. Alright?”

Starlight gazed at him as he began to lay down. “Aren’t you afraid that I might hurt you?”

Sunburst removed his spectacles. “At this point, Star, it wouldn’t matter much of you did. Goodnight.”

Sunburst rested his head and closed his eyes, but he stayed up listening to Starlight’s soft sobbing throughout the night.

Author's Note

So anyone's not confused about the family arrivals and such, the families in Ponyville have the luck to arrive to the Hospital first because they live in the area. The other families in other locations are on their way, they're just a bit slowed down by all the chaos and the traffic the whole frenzy that's happening.

Next up is Pinkie Pie's reunions, and I'll ask a quick question--there have been folks who have been confused in the past by Rarity and Pinkie Pie's former names. Sapphire and Pearl tended to get mixed up because Pearls are generally white, and the reader sometimes assumes it's Rarity.

So, for an easy reading experience, when the story mentions the Glimmer names in past or present reference, should I change Pinkie's Glimmer name from Pearl to Rose or Petal or something to make it easier? Or leave it as is? It'll take some editing, but I'll get it done if it means it will be easier. I plan to go back and edit past chapters anyway. It's pretty late int the game, but I'd be fine with it.

Thanks for reading, and please let me know the good and the bad!

Chapter 20 - Outsiders

“It’s really coming down,” Sunshine said warily as the girls stared at the skylight opening. A storm raged outside the mountain, but Starlight had cast a spell that ensured that the wind, cold and rain didn’t enter their home. The sky seemed to vibrate as the rain plinked against the magical barrier.

Despite the unyielding strength of the spell, the eight-year-old Glimmers couldn’t help but stare in fear and apprehension. Well, all except one. “This is so cool!” Prism cheered, leaping up and hovering in the air for a few seconds. “When’s the last time we had a thunder storm like THIS?”

“T-too soon if you ask m-me,” Buttercup said tremulously from under her hooves. She was hiding halfway under the couch, occasionally risking a peak at the skylight before squeaking and hiding again.

“Aww, scaredy hooves!”

“I am n-not!”

“Girls, you have nothing to fear,” Starlight called from the kitchen. “And nothing to get excited about,” she added, frowning at Prism. “It will pass eventually.”

“Yes,” Moonlight said slowly. “It’s nothing but a simple atmospheric disturbance.” She gulped but managed to keep her dignified composure. “Nothing to worry about.”

Prism raised an eyebrow. “How do you know all that?”

Moonlight’s eyes shifted around. “I... heard it.”

“From who?”

“Mother, of course.”

“She never described it like that before.”

“Well maybe you weren’t there, Prism.”

Just then, a clap of thunder boomed throughout the sky, and the lights flickered briefly before going out completely. Screams filled the air, and Starlight rushed into the Livingroom, careful not to run into anyone. “It’s alright,” she assured, lighting up her horn. A soft blue glow filled the room, revealing her face.

“Gaah!” Pearl giggled at the spooky shadows casting over their mother’s face. As Starlight rolled her eyes, Buttercup zoomed out from under the couch and clung to her tightly, shaking like a leaf. Sapphire did the same, cuddling up to Starlight with anxious eyes.

Moonlight, Prism and Sunshine were too proud to seek comfort from Starlight openly, but they inched closer to her, keeping a reasonable distance. “It’s alright now,” she repeated, giving Buttercup’s head a comforting pat. “It’s just the electricity. I’ll have it fixed after the storm passes.”

“B-B-But it’s still so…dark…” Buttercup shivered, burying her face into Starlight’s chest. “And the thunder’s so loud!”

Pearl bounced up to Buttercup and patted her back. “Don’t worry, Buttercup! Thunder isn’t so bad! It only gets loud because Storm Wendigos are probably playing bowling in the sky! They’re knocking down cloud pins, that’s all!”

Buttercup peeked out an eye. “R-Really?”

“Yeah! They’re actually really nice Storm Wendigos. They don’t mean to play so loud. They’re just having a good time!”

BOOM!

“See?” Pearl said as the girls jumped. “Right there, that was a strike!”

“W-Well, I wish they’d play somewhere else,” Buttercup shuddered, hiding her face again.

Pearl’s face twisted in worry as she watched her sister fret over the storm. Glancing around at the others, the scared look in their eyes weren’t too far off from Buttercup’s; even Prism was shaking slightly in the eerie blue darkness. The pink pony sat there for a moment, rubbing her chin. Then she gasped, a big smile on her face. “I know~!”

She popped up next to one of the walls and held up her hooves. “Look, everypony!”

Starlight’s jaw dropped as four silhouettes of Storm Wendigos appeared on the wall. With the help of the light from Starlight’s aura, Pearl cast shadows along the wall, and made one of the Storm Wendigos roll a bowling ball across the alley. The little Glimmers gasped out as the bowl knocked over all the pins.

Starlight’s shrunken pupils darted over to Pearl’s hooves, but they seemed normal as can be. “How are you doing that?”

“Do what?” Pearl asked, making the crowd of Wendigos dance from all the points they received.

“THAT! The way you…it’s not poss…oh, never mind.” Pearl shrugged and turned back to her shadows while Starlight murmured something along the lines of ‘eight years’ and ‘shouldn’t be surprised anymore’, but no one was paying attention. Moonlight, Prism, Sunshine, and even Sapphire slowly departed from Starlight and marveled at the shadow puppets on the wall.

“See? The Wendigos are just having a big ol’ party!” Buttercup peeked out from Starlight’s chest and blinked up at the wall.

“Not very logical, Pearlie.” Moonlight stated but smiled as one of the Wendigos tripped on its own hooves and slid across the aisle, spinning like a top.

“Who cares about logic!” Prism said, her bravado returning. “This is awesome!”

“Look at that one!” Sunshine grinned, pointing. One Wendigo went to roll its bowling ball, but forgot to release it. The girls burst out in laughter as both Wendigo and bowling ball slid across the wall. Even Buttercup giggled and pulled away from Starlight a bit.

“Ooh, Pearl, can you show me how to do that?” Sapphire asked.

“Sure! Here. First you take your hoof and hold it up just like this…”

Before long, Sapphire was casting shadows of her own, though not as good as Pearl’s. Still, it didn’t stop the girls from oohing and ahing at the beautiful butterfly floating across the wall. All at once, the sisters begged Pearl for shadow puppet lessons, and Pearl happily complied. From then on, time seemed to fly by with squeals of laughter and dancing puppets.

Before they knew it, it was already time for bed, much to the girls’ dismay. “Can we turn the lights off again tomorrow?” Buttercup asked as she settled into bed. “I, um…I liked making birds appear on the wall.”

“Yeah!” Prism said, boxing her hooves. “I wanna have a rematch with Sunshine’s Wendigo. It was a total foul!”

“I won, and you know it,” Sunshine said smugly, mimicking Prism’s boxing moves.

“Not very lady-like,” Starlight sing-songed, and the two dropped their hooves and rested their heads with as much sophistication as they could muster. “But yes, we can do it again if you would like. It was…fun.” She smiled and nuzzled Buttercup. “Goodnight, starlings.”

“Wait a minute,” Moonlight said, sitting up and glancing around. “Where’s Pearl?”

“Probably still in the bathroom,” Sapphire yawned, closing her eyes. “I told her not to have that fifth helping of broccoli soup.”

“I’ll get her,” Starlight chuckled, crossing over to the door. “Goodnight, my dears.”

“Goodnight, Mother,” the girls chorused.

After Starlight closed the door, she went over to the bathroom door with a knowing look. As she lifted a hoof to knock, a small sound from the other side stopped her. Brow furrowing, Starlight pressed her ear to the door to make sure she was hearing it right. “Pearl? Are…are you crying?”

The sounds stopped, followed by a sniffle. “No.”

Frowning, Starlight unlocked the door with her magic and poked her head inside. Pearl was curled up under the sink, her eyes red and puffy. Starlight opened the door further and stepped inside. “Why Pearl, what’s the matter? You were laughing and having a good time just a minute ago. Does your tummy hurt from all the broccoli soup?”

Pearl shook her head.

With a brief look of distaste, Starlight settled onto the bathroom floor, so she could be at eyelevel with Pearl. “Then why are you crying?”

“I didn’t mean to cry,” Pearl said with a weak smile, wiping at her nose. “I just needed a moment.”

“A moment?” Starlight’s horn lit up, and a piece of toilet paper tore off the roll before making its way to Pearl’s nose. Pearl batted at Starlight’s aura as the ply scrubbed against her nose.

“I don’t like storms either. I…I was scared too.” She turned her head in shame. “But I couldn’t let the others know that.”

Starlight tossed the ply into a nearby wastebasket and gave her daughter a perplexed look. “Why ever not? Everypony was scared. Prism won’t admit it herself, but when the lights went out, I’m quite certain that I heard her scream with the rest of you. Nopony would blame you for being a little bit frightened. I’m surprised—you’ve never been one to worry what the others thought of you.”

“I’m not hiding it for me,” Pearl said, shaking her head. “It’s for them!”

“Them?”

“Yes, them! When I saw the looks on their faces, I had to do something. I had to make them laugh. I couldn’t stand watching them scared like that. But I can’t make anypony laugh if I’m all frowny-face. The only way to make them happy is making them see that I’m happy. And it worked.”

Thunder rumbled outside, and Pearl whimpered a little. Starlight smiled and pulled Pearl close to her. “But it didn’t work for you, did it?”

“M-making shadow puppets was r-really fun,” Pearl said with a brief smile. “B-but I guess I’m still spooked. Just a little.”

“Oh, Pearl,” Starlight said, hugging her. “You’ve done a wonderful thing tonight. All you had to do was be there, and everypony’s faces lit up with laughter. When I put your sisters to bed, they didn’t even mention the storm once. Not even Buttercup.”

Pearl looked up with wide eyes. “Really?”

“Mhm. But you know, it’s okay to be scared. I know you feel like you need to make others happy, and it’s a great need. But you mustn’t be afraid of fearing. It’s like what I’m trying to teach Prism and Sunshine. Fear is an emotion. And when we try and repress our emotions, it’s actually worse. All those feelings can jumble up inside us and make a mess.”

Pearl rubbed at her tummy. “Like too much broccoli soup?”

Starlight laughed. “Something like that. For instance, I fear for the ponies of Equestria and how blind they are to cutie marks. Would it do me or anypony else any good if I simply forced that fear down and went about my way instead of trying to make a difference?”

“No, Momma.”

“Precisely. And once we deal with fear in a healthy way, we can find our way back to our more pleasant emotions. Something infectious and good—like the joy we can bring to other ponies, Pearl. When we smile, it makes others feel good about themselves. It lets others know that we love and care about them. If every pony were to take the time to make each other happy instead of angry or upset, the world could be a much better place.”

A smile spread across Pearl’s face. “You really think I could help make a difference in Equestria?”

“Of course! I believe in all of you girls. You do me proud already. Now come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

Pearl nodded and climbed onto Starlight’s back, resting her head on her shoulder as they left the bathroom. Thunder rumbled, but Pearl only looked a touch annoyed now. “Those Wendigos are really causing a fracus up there.”

“Let them play a little while longer,” Starlight chuckled. “Their mother will call them back for bedtime before you know it.”

Pearl smiled and wrapped her hooves around Starlight’s soft, warm neck.

Dear Pound and Pumpkin,

I can’t explain it. Well, except for the fact that I can’t talk. Ha ha, get it? Wow that was terrible

I know it might worry you and your parents that I can’t really talk to you, but I can’t really bring myself to. It’s like some part of my brain completely shut down or something.

Oh, wait, that sounds scary. Scratch that. It’s more like somepony threw a giant cinder block on my tongue. Weird, huh? Anyway, you get the picture. Despite that, it can’t stop me from communicating with you guys, and that’s why I wrote you this letter. Nice, right? So now THAT’S out of the way…

Wow, wow, wow, you two grew up fast! It seems like it was just yesterday when I threw you your first month-aversary party! We had the best times together, us three! Remember when I first baby sat you? You guys were a hoof full! TWO hoof fulls, maybe even three! If I close my eyes, I can still feel the sticky flour in my mane!

I was actually planning to call it quits when the day was over, but then you two went all adorable on me and said my name in your sleep. I knew I was a gonner then. I was your official foalsitter from then on. Well, up until, at least. But you remember, right?

On second thought, you probably wouldn’t. You were just babies after all. You probably don’t even remember me either, huh?

Well…that’s alright. We actually did meet one time! We were thirteen (Although technically the rest of us were in our mid-thirties, but whatever), and we all hung out at Cranberry. You showed us around, bought us cupcakes, and we watched Misty Lakes preform! I bet you remember that! It was pretty funny that we ran into you guys of all ponies. Well, not ha ha funny, just funny funny. Well, maybe a little ha ha. It depends on who you ask, I guess.

I’m sorry that I missed so many of your month-aversaries. I would have loved to watch you guys blow out all those candles. But now that I’m here, I get to plan all the rest of your birthdays and celebrations if you want! Won’t that be fun?

You might not understand all that’s happening right now, but…just know that I love you guys so much. You might not remember me, but I still think of you like a little brother and sister. And it’s gonna be okay.

Oh, and pleased to officially meet you!

XOXO, Pinkie Pie

Pound and Pumpkin stared at the letter for a few more moments before looking at each other. Across the room, their parents sat with Pinkie on her bed, talking to her in soft, tender voices. Occasionally, they would stroke her mane, or give her loving touches on her cheek. For the twins, it was strange, no, bizarre seeing their parents interact with somepony else like this.

It was all so emotional, almost to the point when Pound and Pumpkin felt like they were intruding on something precious. But all three had insisted they stay, so they remained seated.

Pumpkin fiddled with her long braid down the side of her neck and glanced over at her brother. Eventually, she caught his wandering gaze, and he turned away, shaking his head. The letter folded neatly in his hooves and was set gingerly aside.

“…. wonderful kids, both graduated school just last year,” Cup Cake was saying. “You would have been so proud of them.”

Carrot turned around and reached out a hoof. “Pound, Pumpkin, don’t you wanna come closer?” Their father was smiling, but his eyes were still misty, causing them to fidget in their seats.

“Um…we’re cool, Dad, we don’t wanna intrude,” Pumpkin said, keeping her eyes off Pinkie.

Pinkie Pie shook her head and eagerly gestured her hooves.

“Nonsense,” Cup Cake said, speaking for her. “Come, join us. You don’t remember, but Pinkie has always loved you like family, even from the day I announced that I was expecting!”

Pinkie giggled silently at that. She made a dancing motion and pointed at Cup’s stomach. “Oh, yes, dearie. I remember my ‘Having a foal’ party. And the one after that when we realized it was more than one foal.”

Their parents chuckled at the memory, and Pound dropped his head. “Come on now, kids, it’s alright,” Carrot said kindly.

“No, Dad,” Pound murmured from under his mane. “It’s not okay.” Ignoring the confused stares, he stood up and locked eyes with his old foalsitter. “Pearl…I mean, Miss Pie…I’m sorry. All this,” he gestured to their environment, “this isn’t right. We don’t deserve to be here. It’s not our place, and there’s no use in pretending that it is.” He bit his lip and his eyes dropped to the floor. “I’m sorry.”

Pound turned and fled the room, paying no heed to the voices calling his name.

As he ran down the hall, his saw colorful blurs of other family members in separate rooms out of his peripheral. his breath hitched in his throat when he saw Rarity leaning against a frail-looking stallion. Her eyes widened, and her lips began to form his name, but he was already gone.

He almost made it to the elevator when two spears crossed in his path. Pound skidded to a halt and glared up at the guards.

“I need off this floor,” he said curtly.

Two pairs of eyes blinked at him, nether showing signs of yielding.

Pound gritted his teeth and stomped his hoof. “I said I need off this floor! I don’t belong here, let me out!”

The guards remained silent, and Pound got in their faces as much as their spears would allow. Cold, hard metal pressed up against his chest. “Either you move out of my way, or I’ll make you move out of my way. Don’t think I can’t. You know how many sacks of flour I lift at the bakery? Tons!”

“Pound!” a voice squawked from behind, pulling him back. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m getting off this floor, Pumpkin! I don’t care who these boneheads are!”

Pumpkin tightened her grip on Pound’s shoulder. “Well, you might wanna reconsider, ‘cause those ‘boneheads’ work for the Princess. Well—maybe, I dunno. Whoever’s still in charge.” She flashed the guards a nervous grin. “I-Ignore him, he’s, he’s not feeling well.”

“I’m healthier than all of you put together!” Pound growled as Pumpkin grabbed hold of him with her aura and lifted him off the floor. His hooves windmillled uselessly in the air as he was carried away. “This isn’t over!”

“Um, yeah, it is,” Pumpkin said, marching him back down the way they came. “You could’ve gotten into some serious trouble back there! Do you know what they could have done to you?”

“Oh, they wouldn’t have done anything,” Pound said dismissively. “They think they’re all big and tough, but we all know that it’s Discord who gets things done around here.”

“Oh. My gosh. Shut up,” Pumpkin hissed. She trotted into the waiting area corner, away from the hospital rooms. “You can’t just talk like that, Pound! You wouldn’t survive a day in a dungeon! Look at you, you’re a complete cinnamon roll!”

Pound flapped his wings as hard as he could, but he couldn’t escape Pumpkin’s aura. “Put me down!”

“Not till you calm down. You’re making a scene, something that these ponies really don’t need right now.”

Pound slowly stopped struggling and took a short breath. “Fine,” he muttered.

Pumpkin gave him a long look, eyebrow raised. “Are you cool?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m cool.”

“Are you sure.”

“Pumpkin, I’m cool.”

“Alright. But you know that I can catch you faster than you can fly away, right?”

For the first time in hours, Pound smiled. “I know.”

Pumpkin returned the smile and set him down, releasing her hold. “There. Now what did you run off for?”

A shadow passed over Pound’s face. “We could have ended this five years ago. You know that, don’t you?”

Pumpkin’s grin faded, and her head lowered. “…Yeah.”

A pair of hooves hooked around their necks, and a pony rose up from between them. The twins jumped, and Pumpkin almost swore. “Whoa! M-Miss Pie!” Pound exclaimed.

“Where did you even come from?” Pumpkin asked, her eyes darting this way and that.

Pinkie Pie simply smiled and released them, holding up a piece of paper.

I convinced your parents to stay in the room. Wanna chat?

The twins shared a look. “Um…sure?” Pumpkin said, knitting her eyebrows. Pinkie beamed and bounced onto one of the waiting couches before patting the spots on either side of her.

The teenagers obeyed, with Pound hopping up on her left, and Pumpkin to her right.

The pink earth pony gave the two a questioning look.

“Well…Mis Pie—”

Pinkie shook her head sharply and mouthed the word Pinkie.

“Oh. I mean, Pinkie…we should have recognized you from the start. We could have had you all back home years ago. Instead, we…we practically handed you back to that mare.”

“Mhm,” Pumpkin assented, nodding solemnly.

Pinkie’s eyes widened, and she wildly shook her head again. She pointed to the two of them and folded her forehooves, making a rocking motion.

“I know, I know that we were foals,” Pound said distractedly, hopping down from the couch. He walked over to Pumpkin, and Pinkie turned to face them both. “But that’s no excuse, especially for Pumpkin and me.”

“It’s true,” Pumpkin said quietly. “You have to understand, Miss Pi—Pinkie. We’ve been told about you our entire lives. We’ve learned about all your struggles and triumphs in school, and ponies visit your memorials all the time. But for Pound and me, it was different. Mom and Dad told us the more personal stories. Stories about you, as a tenant. The trouble you got into, the happiness that you brought.” She smiled faintly. “My favorite story was the one where you ate Princess Celestia’s cupcake, and Dad had to drag you off.”

Pound allowed himself a small smile. “Mine’s the one when you chucked all the cakes at Princess Twilight’s assistant when he turned into a full-sized dragon. Our parents came home to a missing roof.”

Pinkie’s mouth twisted into something that resembled a smirk and a grimace at the same time.

“We’ve seen the murals, we’ve watched the plays, and we’ve heard all the stories. The Princesses honored you every year, and your portraits hang on the walls at home. Yet we couldn’t tell that our old foalsitter was standing right next to us.”

Pinkie reached out a hoof, but Pound pulled away in shame. “I knew, I knew there was something familiar about you guys, but I couldn’t put my hoof on it. I couldn’t, because…because…when I got older, I…didn’t care as much.”

Pumpkin reached up and put a hoof on his shoulder. “You…the memory of you was always in the background, but most of our focus was on other things. School, friends, crushes, our favorite bands. Eventually, we grew tired of the stories, and opted out of visiting your memorials with our parents.” Her ears flattened against her head. “By the time we were thirteen, you were just…an old bedtime story. It sounds so stupid now. If only we had—”

Pinkie put a hoof to Pumpkin’s mouth. Then, she lifted Pumpkin’s chin and held up her own as an example. She looked over at Pound and gestured for him to do the same.

After a moment, Pound held his head up, swallowing.

Pinkie gave them a comforting, yet bold grin.

The twins stared at her, and they couldn’t help but grin back. “Okay, Pinkie,” Pound said, nodding. “Okay.”

Pinkie crawled forward and enveloped the twins in a tender group hug. As Pound and Pumpkin hugged her back, a warm sense of familiarity rose up within them. This kind of embrace, so full of love and comfort…they felt it before. Somewhere, maybe far off in a dream, they had felt it. They automatically nuzzled their old foalsitter, burying their faces into her pink fluffy mane.

It was then when the twins felt an inexplicable sense of love and grief at the same time. With shiny eyes, they glanced at each other over Pinkie’s mane and smiled. For the first time, it was established that perhaps they did, in fact, belong here.

Starlight and Sunburst roused, sitting straight up. At first, Starlight had no idea what woke her up, but a distant voice made them scramble to their hooves.

“….over where it’s thickest…” the voice faded in and out, but it sounded like it was nearing closer. The trees rustled under heavy footsteps.

“That doesn’t sound like dragons,” Starlight whispered. In a panic, Sunburst quickly started to gather his belongings. “Sunburst, there’s no time!” She leapt over and clung to him, her horn glowing. “I’m gonna teleport us away.”

“W-Wait, just hold on a min—where are you teleporting?”

“Away from here!”

Two more voices emerged from behind the trees. “What’s behind there?”

Sunburst tried to wriggle out of Starlight’s grasp, but she refused to let go, either out of stubbornness or fear. Maybe both.

“Starlight, please. If you’re going to do it don’t go South. Anywhere but south!”

“B-But I can’t go the other way, that’s where I came from! I’d be spotted for sure!”

“Starlight, I’m begging you. If you’re going south, then let me go. I’m not going back, I can’t go back!” Starlight looked at Sunburst and was shocked to see that his face had paled. His blue eyes were filled with absolute terror. “Please.”

The weeping willow leaves flung apart, and the silhouettes of three guards came into view. “Halt!” one shouted as they drew their weapons. “Halt in the name of the Princess!”

Starlight’s horn flared, and the two disappeared in a flash of blue light.

“Are you planning some sort of…party?” Nurse Sweetheart asked, peering down at the list Pinkie gave her.

Pinkie shook her head and threw her up her hooves in a big gesture. Nurse Sweetheart glanced around. “Ohh, I see. It is pretty gloomy around here, isn’t it? But I don’t know if Doctor Horse would go for it. With the rest of the families arriving soon and all.” She paused, a thought coming to her. “Unless…are you planning on doing this for the families?”

Pinkie gave her a look that said bingo!

“Well, it would be nice for them to come here to a more pleasant-looking atmosphere. I suppose a little color here and there would be nice. But nothing wild or crazy, right? Nothing that would be ill-fitting?”

Pinkie shook her head, dismissing it.

“Ah, okay, something more cheerful, but subtle. Well, I’ll take this under consideration, but I don’t know about Dr. Horse. It would take some convincing.” She smiled and petted Pinkie’s mane. When they first arrived, Nurse Sweetheart would stay away from them as often as possible, but now she seemed to be warming up to them, Pinkie especially. “We’ll see what we can do. Visiting time is almost up, and you girls need your rest. Why don’t you run along and spend a little more time with the Cakes while you have time?”

Pinkie nodded and hugged her before Nurse Sweetheart left.

Just then, a nearby window shattered, and a medium-sized brick sailed through the air. Shards of glass scattered in all directions, and the brick slid across the floor until it reached Pinkie’s hooves.

A cold, breeze blew in from the window, and Pinkie looked down at the brick. She knew she should be screaming, but all she could do was stare blankly. But that was okay, since Nurse Sweetheart was already taking care of that for her.

Author's Note

Okay, another chapter down. Whew. If you're waiting on the Pies, don't worry, they'll be coming up, but I wanted to give the Cakes a chance to breathe, since Pinkie has two families basically.

Fluttershy is up next...and since we don't really know her parents' real names, shall I call them Mr. and Mrs. Shy like Rainbow Dash did, or just Mom and Dad? I really wish they gave them names, but I take what I can get.

Perhaps she needs a little more chaos in her life.

Chapter 21 - Itsy Bitsy

“Eeeeek! A spidew!” Sapphire screeched, flinging her doll across the room. The spider scurried across its soft, plush body, unfazed. “Kill it, somepony kill it!”

“I got it,” Sunshine grinned, crouching on her hooves, ready to pounce. Buttercup immediately flung herself onto her sister, pinning her to the floor. Sunshine blinked in disbelief. “Buttercup? What gives?”

“How could you hurt an innocent little spider?” Buttercup chastised. “He hasn’t done anything to hurt you!”

“He?” Sunshine questioned.

“Who cares, it’s hideous!” Sapphire said. “And it was on MY dolly!”

“Maybe he liked the way your dolly looks,” Buttercup reasoned, straightening up and taking a step back, allowing Sunshine to wriggle out from under her. She looked out toward their bedroom window and eyed the ledge. “He must have seen it from out there. Don’t hurt him…” She raised her little wings and flew over to the spider, scooping him up from Sapphire’s doll. “I’ll just put him back where he belongs.”

Sapphire’s tongue lolled at the sight of a spider in Buttercup’s hooves. “Eww!”

Buttercup rolled her eyes. She never understood her sister’s disgust for tiny helpless things.

Flapping her semi-neglected wings, Buttercup flew over to the window and frowned at the sheet of snow blanketing the sill. She couldn’t put Mr. Spider here. He was too delicate. She strained her wings as she flew higher, eyeing one of the mountain ledges further below. The surface was smooth and dry. Perfect.

“Buttercup,” Sunshine said, her tone somewhere between curiosity and warning. “What are you doing?”

“Putting Mr. Spider back,” Buttercup replied. Her wings were already growing tired, so she resorted to a hover as she inched outside the window. Buttercup and Sapphire called her name several times, but her attention was solely on her goal. As she floated further out, the two and a half-year-old gulped at the sightless bottom below. She never realized just how…high up they were before. With a brief huff of air, Buttercup shook her head slightly and steeled herself. “Don’t worry,” she told Mr. Spider. “I’ll have you back home in no ti…!” Suddenly, her wings went from aching to stiff, the cold winds rendering them almost useless. Alarmed, Buttercup frantically tried to flap her wings, but she was falling, falling.

The wind whistled loudly in her ears as she plummeted.

Down, down, down she fell.

And then she stopped.

Opening her eyes, Buttercup felt something wrap around her. The sensation was familiar, but no less startling. It did save her from falling any further, however. In fact, it was carrying her back up. Before Buttercup could make heads or tails of what was happening, she found herself face-to-face with Starlight. “Mommy!”

Using her aura, Starlight abruptly pulled Buttercup back inside and straight into her embrace. A strange, foul-sounding word hissed its way out of Starlight’s mouth, making Buttercup’s jaw drop.

“Mommy!” she repeated, this time in astonished reproach. “Such language!”

Starlight pulled her back, her eyes blazing. “Don’t you EVER do that again, do you hear me!?” Buttercup flinched at the frightening harshness in her mother’s voice. “What in the wide world of Equestria made you think that was okay to do?”
Buttercup opened her mouth, but she was too shocked to utter an explanation.

After a few tense moments, Sunshine spoke up from behind. “She was trying to rescue a spider,” she said quietly. “Me and Sapphire almost killed it, so she tried to take it back outside.”

The rest of the girls had rushed into the room, each eyeing the scene before them with curiosity. “A spider?” Starlight said incredulously, though most of the ferocity had gone out of her voice. “All that for a spider…don’t you realize that you could have died?”

Buttercup’s ears folded back as Starlight’s words hung in the air.

Sunshine and Moonlight looked somber, while Sapphire, Prism and Pearl simply stared. Even though Starlight had taught them what death was, the three of them didn’t seem to have a full grasp of it yet.

“I’m sorry Mommy, but Mr. Spider—Mr. Spider!” Buttercup looked back at the window, horrified. “I…I dropped him! I dropped him when I fell!” She quickly burst into tears, whimpering softly.

Starlight sighed as she held a crying Buttercup close. “H-He’s gone, isn’t he?” Buttercup said between sobs.

“Yes, my starling. He’s gone.” She cupped her hoof around Buttercup’s head, allowing the small filly to cry into her neck. “But your life is much more important…do you know that? Think of how sad Mommy would feel if you were the one that fell instead of Mr. Spider.”

“I know,” Buttercup said after a few hiccups and sniffles. “But Mr. Spider’s Mommy might be sad too. Maybe he had brothers and sisters.” She bit her lip as more tears streamed down her face. “J-Just because he’s small and can’t talk, doesn’t mean he’s not important…right?”

An odd, almost tearful smile spread across Starlight’s face. “Sweet girl.” She kissed Buttercup on the cheek. “You’re absolutely right. But Mommy loves you and your sisters a lot more than Mr. Spider. Besides…his family can learn to move on without him…but I don’t think I have that kind of strength. Do you understand?”

Wiping her eyes, Buttercup nodded. “But I still feel sad.”

For the first time, Moonlight spoke up. “We could have a funeral.”

Buttercup looked down at her. “A funeral?”

Starlight brushed a stray pink lock behind Buttercup’s ear. “Remember what I told you about that? When a pony passes on, his or her loved ones gather around to say one last goodbye before the pony is buried.”

“We can’t bury Mr. Spider,” Buttercup said sadly.

“No, but we can still have a funeral. Sometimes when there isn’t a pony to bury, their friends and family can still pay their respects. It can be a symbolic burying.”

“As in representing,” Moonlight clarified.

“Would that make you feel better?” Pearl piped up hopefully.

Buttercup sniffed again. “Okay.” She looked up at Starlight to ask to be put down, but the question quickly died in her throat when she got a good look at her mother. “Mommy…why are you crying? Are you hurt?”

Starlight cleared her throat, giving Buttercup another squeeze. “Just be more careful from now on, alright?”

“Oh…okay.” The filly hugged Starlight extra tight in hopes it would make her mother feel better. “I love you.”

“I love you too, starling.”

Smiling, Starlight finally set her down and suggested that they go and discuss funeral ideas in the living room for a while. As she and her sisters left the bedroom, Buttercup was able to catch Starlight’s mutterings about installing a toddler-proof glass in the window.

Fluttershy stared at the spider spinning a web in a corner of the ceiling. The small insect worked tirelessly on her creation, spinning her silk and weaving it together.

“Are you happy with your job?”

“Ehh…. It’s a living.”

“I have a feeling you want something more than catching robbers.”

“There’s action here and there I guess. But...I kind of…always wanted to be a daredevil or a stunt pony or something.”

“Why don’t you? You’re a young mare, you still have plenty of time to do it.”

“Well…ever since…you know…I never liked to be far away from home. Me and the girls…we’ve always been tight that way, but after the night you guys were taken, we were all we had. I wouldn’t feel comfortable, not being able to check up on them. Besides…our home base is here. And my cutie mark is focused on helping other ponies get their cutie marks. Not doing stunts.”

Fluttershy blinked back into awareness. “What?”

Twilight’s brow furrowed, and she leaned halfway toward Fluttershy. “Are you alright?” she asked in a low voice.

Fluttershy opened her mouth, and her eyes trailed over to a concerned-looking Scootaloo. Her lips pursed back together and managed a tight smile. “I’m fine. I’m sorry, Scootaloo, what were we talking about?”

“Too much about myself,” Scootaloo said. “I’m sorry—this is about you guys, and here I am, blabbing on and on about me and my life.”

“We want to know about your life, Scootaloo. Believe me, we’d rather be hearing about somepony else’s life rather than ours.” Twilight looked back and sent Fluttershy an overly bright smile. The pegasus returned it, but only because Scootaloo was there.

She had grown, but she was still around the short side, a little smaller than the average size of a full-grown mare. Her bushy, feathery magenta mane was longer, but it only reached down to her chin in choppy lengths. The police badge pinned to her shirt uniform glinted brightly in the otherwise dimly lit hospital room.

As lovely as she was, Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness whenever she looked upon her. Scootaloo was always a bright and happy little filly. Her eyes sparkling with glee and mischief when crusading, her tiny wings buzzing with excitement whenever she was alongside Rainbow Dash.

There was no sparkle now. No happiness, no excitement, no enthusiasm. In fact, she wasn’t sure what it was. Scootaloo didn’t look sad, but her spirits didn’t seem lifted either.

She seemed…. casual? Maybe that wasn’t quite it. There was no telling for sure; after all, Scootaloo was a police officer now. They’re trained to deal with these types of situations.

“I can’t imagine what you guys went through,” Scootaloo said, switching a small toothpick to the other side of her mouth. “This whole thing Is just…bizarre. Like something out of a horror movie. I mean if…” Her teeth clenched over the toothpick. “If Rainbow Dash is in that bad a state, then it had to be horrible, right?”

“Not always,” Fluttershy murmured. Twilight’s smile slipped, and the pegasus bowed her head, letting her long pink mane shield most of her face.

Scootaloo looked in between the two ponies before her and awkwardly cleared her throat. “I, um…I’m sorry about your injury, Fluttershy. I know what it’s like not being able to use your own wings. I could…help you with that if you want.”

Fluttershy only gave a slight nod. “Thank you.”

An ear-shattering crash made them all jump. Twilight’s eyes grew into saucers. “What was that?”

Less than a second later, a shrill scream pierced the air. Scootaloo instantly zipped to wall next to the door and crouched down low. She poked her head out into the hallway. “Ohhh, buck.” She turned to Twilight and Fluttershy. “Back up. Back up against the far side of the wall! Both of you, do it now!”

Diamond Tiara just couldn’t catch a break. Ribbon Slice, her assistant, kept insisting that they should be thankful that at least nopony got hurt. Still, it did little to soften the blow. Throughout the rest of the night, Diamond had to watch as royal guards searched every house in Ponyville. Countless citizens stood out on their front yards looking sleepy and confused. Naturally, she was the one who had to assure and comfort frightened ponies as they combed through the town.

So far, the suspect that had thrown the brick had not been found. Diamond would have preferred to wait until dawn to perform such an invasive search at such an hour, but she quickly found herself being overruled by Silver Shield and his band of loyal guards ponies.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to find who had done it. A search was all well and good, but now she would have to deal with the aftermath. The last thing she needed was a panic on her hooves. She had seen enough of it back at the hospital.
The girls were obviously shaken by the whole ordeal; some of them didn’t think that they were safe anymore. Diamond didn’t blame them one bit—the hospital was supposed to be guarded.

The girl’s loved ones, who had been present during the incident, were inconsolable. Doctor Horse quickly ended visiting hours and tried to usher the families out, but they refused to leave the building. Of course they would—their loved ones are still in apparent danger. Starlight Glimmer or no, somepony out there has something against them.

A small verbal fight had broken out between visitors and hospital staff until Diamond had had enough and suggested that the families have a temporary place to stay in the downstairs lobby. That way, they could keep an eye on things without getting in the way. Doctor Horse was highly against it. “I understand, I completely understand that these are special circumstances,” he had said. “but by the moon, there are protocols!”

The debate between them was intense, but in the end, Diamond was successful in getting what she wanted. Sure, rules were being bent, but she didn’t doubt that it would help the girls sleep more soundly if they knew their loved ones were close by. “One night,” Diamond had said, patting the shoulder of Doctor Horse’s crisp white coat. “You’ll live.”

Hours passed as the search continued. And with it, lots of coffee. By the time the first signs of morning began to appear, Silver Shield finally trotted to her side. “Well?”

The General gave a jerk of his head. “No sign of Starlight Glimmer. Or any strange characters lurking about.” Unlike her, he didn’t show any signs of fatigue despite pulling an all-nighter. If anything, he seemed to be standing even straighter under the pale blue dawn.

“Great.” She glanced over and saw two of her best officers approaching them. “What about you? Find anything?”

“Nada,” Snails said. “Our squad searched all over. If Starlight threw that brick, she musta high tailed it outta here quick.”

“So we go after her,” Scootaloo piped up, her bushy purple mane tousled and frazzled. “We go after her, and we take her down for good.”

“Scootaloo, all of Equestria’s finest are already out looking for her,” Diamond said tiredly. “Besides, how do you suppose we find her, hmm? She could have teleported away for all we know. Can you trace a teleport?”

“Well—” Scootaloo blinked a few times. “Well, I don’t know! But I’d find a way! We should all find a way! You didn’t see them, Diamond. You didn’t see the absolute terror in their eyes when that brick crashed the window. You didn’t hear Rainbow Dash screaming her head off. You didn’t—”

“No, but I saw enough. More than I wanted to see,” Diamond interrupted. Her blue eyes burned as her hoof poked Scootaloo’s chest. “And don’t think for one second that I don’t care about their well-being. I didn’t hang out with them as much as you did when we were kids, but I care about them too. We all do.”

“And, if I may,” Silver Shield spoke up carefully. “It might not be Starlight Glimmer.”

Everyone turned to the General with blank stares. “What?” Diamond said.

“This sort of attack doesn’t seem her style. Starlight has been a mother to these girls for eighteen years. If she were to come here, she would most likely want them back. And if her plan is to get the girls back, she would have handled it more quietly. Throwing a brick does nothing but cause a scare.”

“So, it’s a random lowlife,” Diamond concluded.

“Ehh, could be some knucklehead paparazzo,” Snails supplied. “It’s a big story, probably the biggest in our lifetime. Wouldn’t be surprised if some wackadoo snuck in and did all this just to make more tabloids. Y’know how crazy they get.”

“That might not be the case either,” Silver said. “I’ve got a few teams surrounding the town’s borders. All reports came back the same. Not a single pony came or left Ponyville over the last several hours.”

“Wait…” Scootaloo shook her head. “What are you trying to say?”

It took a moment for the gravity of the situation to hit them. “You…you don’t think any of the towns ponies did it, do you?” Ribbon Slice breathed, making everyone else jump. She had been so quiet; the others had completely overlooked her.

“But…it can’t be,” Diamond said, frowning. “Why would anypony do this kind of thing to their own neighbors…their friends? No, it has to be somepony else. A stranger, maybe.”

“We…didn’t find any non Ponyville citizens,” Snails said, looking a little sad. “No strangers at all. Maybe he’s right, Di.”

“Great,” Scootaloo said with disgust. “Even better. Nice that the ponies in this town cares about them so much.”

Diamond’s mind whirled. If that were true, then what about the Element Bearers? If they’re not even safe in their own home town, are they really safe anywhere?

“Mayor Tiara, what’s going on?” asked a half-asleep citizen with curlers in her mane. She yawned as she rubbed a hoof across her eyes. “Can me and my kids go back to bed or what?”

“Yes, yes, go on back, Love Bug,” Diamond said distractedly, waving a hoof. “I’ll explain everything later in the day.”

“Well…what should we do? Move ‘em?” Snails questioned as Love Bug trotted away.

“I don’t think we can,” Diamond said. “At least not now. Doctor Horse told me he could clear most of the Element Bearers in a couple of days and have them see their psychologists elsewhere—their injuries aren’t physical. But Rainbow Dash is staying put as far as I know.”

Diamond didn’t bother adding that no matter where they go from now on, things will always be difficult for Twilight and her friends. Even as heroes of Equestria, the six of them were still able to live out their lives in peace and relative privacy.

That won’t be the case anymore.

Scootaloo clicked her tongue in irritation while Snails scratched at the spot under his police hat. “Uh, hey, what about Discord? Y’think he’d show up by now, eh?”

Diamond gave an exaggerated shrug. She was too tired for this. “Haven’t seen him. Not for a long while.”

“I know he’s not the mushy type, but I’d at least hope he’d show up for Fluttershy,” Scootaloo said, looking a little concerned. “They used to be close back in the day. Well, as close as Discord can be to somepony.”

“Well, we can’t worry about him right now,” Diamond said. “Look, we’ve been up all night, and we haven’t found anything so far. It looks like there’s nothing more we can do for now, except keep our eyes open. And Silver Shield…I know your orders come from the higher ups, but I’d prefer it if you’d…I don’t know…kept a better eye on things? Including windows?”

The group shifted uncomfortably. It usually wasn’t a good idea to speak to a royal guard in such a manner—especially a General. Silver Shield’s eyes narrowed a little, but his lips quirked up in a smile. “My orders are to protect, Madame Mayor. On my honor—not a single hair on their heads will be harmed if I can help it. I’ll be moving my post to the girls’ floor for now.”

“You don’t have to tell me,” Diamond replied with a terse smile. “You’re here to keep them safe…so I’ll leave you to it.”

Silver Shield gave a curt nod. “Good. Now if you’ll all excuse me.” With another nod, the General turned about face and trotted off to address a few of his guards ponies.

As soon as he left, Diamond turned to her officers with a weary sigh. “Well, you’ve done all you could. I suggest getting some rest. Today’s going to be jampacked. More families are going to be coming in. Reporters, press…ugh.”

Snails put a sympathetic hoof on her shoulder. “Well, you know where I’ll be. Apple Bloom and Big Mac are gonna be sent back to the Apple Farm soon, so I’m gonna hover by the hospital for a while, make sure everything’s okay. I know the guards are probably stepping up security, but I’d still like to hang around there.”

“Same here,” Scootaloo said with a nod. “I know it’s unprofessional, but I can’t sleep soundly at home while my friends are all in there.”

“Good. That’s what I’m counting on.” Diamond glanced this way and that before leaning in closely. “I was going to tell you two to stick by the Bearers anyway. Don’t make a big fuss or anything. Just keep it casual; fly under the radar, if you catch my drift. Keep a close eye, no matter what.”

Snails peered at her above his dark sunglasses—why he still wore them at night, Diamond never knew—and raised an inquisitive brow. “What is it? You don’t trust the guards or something?”

Diamond snorted. “Of course not, I’m in politics. I don’t trust anypony, much less the royal guard. When monsters attack, who saves us at the end of the day? Not the guards, that’s for sure. My father always said that they were only for show. Not once has he been proven wrong yet.”

“Aw, come on, Diamond,” Scootaloo said. “You know they work hard.”

“Oh, I’m not denying that. But they’re not very helpful when it comes to large matters. Up against real foes, they can be as weak and helpless as anypony else. Even as corruptible as anypony else.”

“Diamond!”

“Not saying they are,” Diamond said quickly. “But I’ve known you two for a long time. Those guards have a duty, but none of them know them or even care about them like we do. I’d just feel better if I knew the two of you were to keep an eye on them while I deal with everything else.” Her gaze lingered on Scootaloo. “I need you both here. Less stress on my part, you know?”

Scootaloo huffed out a breath and chuckled. “Alright. No going off after teleporting kidnappers. I get it.”

“Yeah, we get your meaning, Di,” Snails said. “Don’t you worry. We’ll take care of it.”

“Good. See you in a few hours.” Snails and Scootaloo nodded and started back down east. The sky grew lighter, bathing the town in a pale blue color. The birds would be singing soon.

“Mayor Tiara?” came Ribbon Slice’s small, mousy voice. Aside from Fluttershy, she was easily the quietest mare Diamond ever knew. “Word will be getting out soon…about the brick. But I’ve already sent word to Canterlot. I felt like somepony there should know what happened.”

“Ohh,” Diamond groaned, putting a hoof to her head. “I didn’t even think about that. Thanks, Ribbon. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Certainly,” Ribbon replied, as if it were no big deal at all. “Shall I brew you another cup of coffee?”

“Sure, in about two hours.” The two began the long trek back toward Town Hall. “Until then, I’ll be sleeping under my desk. You should go home and get some rest.”

“Oh, I’ll be alright. I hope we can find the suspect soon.”

“Believe me, you and I both.” Diamond sighed. “I sure do miss Princess Celestia.”

Ribbon Slice nodded. “You and I both.”

It wasn’t until the early afternoon when Fluttershy roused from her slumber. It was surprising that she had slept so late, given the whole brick incident the night before. After that, she feared that she would never get any sleep. But as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out like a light.

Day two, she thought with a sigh. It was hard to believe that so much has happened in such little time. It almost felt like yesterday when they first left their home in the caves for good. Warm and grey.

Breakfast came quickly, followed by her friends coming into her room. They were still a bit rattled from the night before, but all of them seemed to be feeling a little better. Their loved one’s presence helped.

They informed all they could about what happened after the brick incident, but it seemed that none of them were told very much. All they could piece together was that the suspect wasn’t anywhere to be found, but they were still safe, at least for now. Applejack suspected that it was Starlight’s doing, but most of them had their doubts, even Twilight. It was too strange, too bizarre for this to be Starlight’s plan. And, while Fluttershy didn’t voice it out loud, the pegasus strongly believed that Starlight wouldn’t do such a thing. Not to them. Not to her.

In any case, the security had tightened. Pegasus guards now flew by the windows, occasionally peaking inside for any suspicious activity.

Doctor Horse had informed them that most of them could be cleared to go in a day or two, but Rainbow Dash was a different matter.

During the early morning, a few more family members had managed to arrive despite all the massive crowds and security measures: Twilight’s family, Fluttershy’s parents, and Windy Whistles and Bow Hot Hoof—Rainbow Dash’s parents. Since Twilight’s family mostly consisted of royalty, the entire hospital staff went into a frenzy, practically tripping over themselves to make everything as accommodating as possible.

Fluttershy caught a glimpse of them in the hallway but didn’t say hello. She would see them at a different time. Right now, her parents were here. “I’m sorry about the security,” Fluttershy said after their joyful—yet habitually reserved—reunion. “Things have been hectic lately.”

“Going through a few guards is a small price to pay if it means seeing you again, dear,” Mr. Shy said with a smile. The crow’s feet around his eyes deepened as he did so. “I can’t tell you how thankful we are that you’re here, safe and sound.”

“We know we’re luckier than most,” Mrs. Shy added, adjusting her green rimmed glasses. “We were with Windy and Bow when the doctors told them about Rainbow Dash.” She shook her head with a soft click of her tongue. “Poor girl. She was always like a second daughter to us.”

Any traces of a smile fell from Fluttershy’s face as she gazed out of the window across the room. It was a gorgeous day today, even more glorious than she remembered. She didn’t doubt that that the weather team had made it that way on purpose. Outside, she could see the beats of two pegasi guard wings on either side of the glass as they guarded the top floor. “How are they? Windy and Bow?”

“Well, the head Doctor told them that they may have wait a few days to see Rainbow Dash, but of course they wouldn’t hear it,” Mr. Shy said with a sad sigh. “I think they might let them see her for just a little while, but we’ll just have to see how that turns out.” He attempted a smile. “They’ve been a lot stronger than we have these past eighteen years.”

An image of her weary and distraught parents materialized into Fluttershy’s mind. She could practically see them holding back tears as they stood outside Windy and Bow’s house, trying to decide weather or not to bother the other couple with their burdens when they surely had their own sorrows to deal with.

“Oh, they’ve been our rock,” Mrs. Shy affirmed, resting a hoof on her husband’s shoulder. Fluttershy suddenly found herself dearly missing her mother’s cherry-red mane, which was now an attractive silvery-grey. “Rainbow Dash certainly gets her strength from those two. She’ll find it again, I’m certain.”

Fluttershy glanced away from the window. “I’m sorry. You’ve all been through so much.”

“You’re not the one who should be sorry, Dear.” Mrs. Shy’s smile was demure as always, but her lips tightened.
When Fluttershy’s eyes dropped, her mother stepped forward and pulled her in for a gentle side hug. “It’s going to be all right. Everything is going to be alright.”

“Zephyr isn’t,” Fluttershy said in a low voice.

“Honey, we don’t know that for sure,” Mr. Shy said, crossing over to them. He was a lot slower now; he had to depend on a crutch to walk. “Zephyr has always been…well, dependent. But he’s also very creative and ambitious. I’m sure once he hears that you’re returned, he’ll come right back in no time.”

Fluttershy shook her head. “Something’s wrong, Dad. Zephyr wouldn’t just leave you two all alone and make you grieve by yourselves. He just wouldn’t!”

Mrs. Shy sighed. “We knew it would cause a bit of damage in our relationship once we finally told him to leave the house. Normally, your father and I wouldn’t make him leave so suddenly, but…your passing made us realize that something needed to change. We only wanted him to go out into the world and make his own decisions and live a life that all of us would be proud of. And we knew that you would have wanted it that way.” She reached up and massaged her temple. “It wasn’t a very good day.”

“So he just…left without contacting you again? Not even a letter?”

“We figured that he needed time to find himself. He would let us know how he was doing when he was ready,” Mr. Shy said. “And we waited….and waited. By the time Hearth’s Warming came around, we started to get worried.”

“The police couldn’t find anything?”

“He’s a grown stallion,” Mrs. Shy offered up with a weak shrug. “There was only so much they could do. They had more pressing matters than to worry about two doting parents waiting for their adult son to send them a letter. Given our situation, they told us he would show up when he wanted to.”

“But…but why didn’t you come see the Princesses?” Fluttershy asked, perplexed. “I’m sure they would have helped.”

With a grunt, Mr. Shy hobbled from his daughter’s side and sat down on the hospital bed. “Oh, honey, you know we’re not the sort of ponies to bother the Princesses with our problems. Despite the service they extended to us at the funeral, we couldn’t disturb them like that. After all, they had other things to worry about—Monster attacks and whatnot. It’s probably nothing. For all we know, Zephyr could be living a fresh and exciting life out in the city somewhere. Mad at us, perhaps. But at least it’s a life of his own.”

“He’ll be back honey, I know it.” When Fluttershy didn’t answer, Mrs. Shy held her closer. “Come back with us, dear. We can wait for Zephyr together.”

Fluttershy’s eyebrows knitted together at the request. “You mean…come back home? Home to Cloudsdale?”

“Everypony’s been eagerly waiting for your return,” Mr. Shy said with a bright smile. “We know how much you don’t like surprise parties, but all your old friends are putting something special together for you!”

Fluttershy frowned at that. As she recalled, she never had friends in Cloudsdale. Everyone there either never acknowledged her presence or bullied her to tears. Besides her own family, Rainbow Dash was the only pony who truly cared about her. Along with Bow Hot Hoof and Windy Whistles of course.

“I…I’m sorry, I…can’t. I do miss Cloudsdale…but I can’t leave Ponyville now. My friends need me. Most of them are so lost and scared…I can’t bear to leave them right this minute.”

“But…but what about Starlight Glimmer?” Mrs. Shy said, her coat going pale. “What if she comes back for you? Somepony threw a brick through the window last night for pony’s sake! If we take you to Cloudsdale, she can’t possibly reach you there. And sweetie, we know we’re not the strongest of ponies, but you can bet your tail that your father and I will protect you.”

“And Zephyr too, when he comes back,” Mr. Shy added.

The rare looks of fierce devotion and determination on her parents’ faces was enough to make Fluttershy’s heart swell. They meant every word they said, but she knew deep inside that there was only so much they could do if it came down to it. They could always end up surprising her of course, but up against Starlight Glimmer, her aging, docile, mild-mannered parents wouldn’t stand a chance.

Fluttershy smiled sadly. “She’s more powerful than you think. Believe me. If she really wants to find me…she will. I’ll have to take my chances down here.”

Mrs. Shy’s eyes closed. Then she let out a long, shallow breath.

As her hoof fell away from Fluttershy, the older mare turned and faced the window. “I’ve always respected what you did, Fluttershy. Going out there, saving Equestria... it’s than I’ve ever done in my entire life. You were always the bold one. You knew what you wanted, and we’ve never stood in the way of that, ever. But this…”

She stared long and hard at the birds flying out west before turning back to her daughter, jaw clenched. “Why does it have to be you? Why, out of everypony…when you first moved to Ponyville, I thought you would be safe! Taking care of animals and nursing them back to heath, that was supposed to be your job. Happy and healthy and safe. That was until that Princess friend of yours came along and dragged you out into that wretched forest—”

“That was my choice,” Fluttershy interrupted sharply. Twilight had been both a close friend and a sister for as long as she could remember. She wouldn’t let anypony talk about her that way, not even her own mother. “I couldn’t just let Twilight go out into the Everfree by herself. I wasn’t very brave at the time, but I needed to do something. I needed to help in whatever way I could.”

“And I am so, so proud of that,” Mrs. Shy said, nodding her head. “But honey, this isn’t like those other times you’ve gone out to save the world. You weren’t even out there saving the world that night. Starlight came here, she knew where you lived.”

“Mom—"

“Flutteshy, from the moment Princess Luna showed up on our doorstep and told us that you were missing, our life has been a living nightmare. And even though you’re alive and well, I know she’s done something to you. She must have.”

Mrs. Shy pursed her lips, hard. Tears glittered her long lashes as she blinked. “You don’t even look at me the same way anymore.” Her hoof went up before Fluttershy could protest. “I know it’s true, don’t deny it. But it’s not your fault, sweetie.”

Involuntary shivers traveled up and down Fluttershy’s spine. “Mom, no. No, I—”

“Please, Fluttershy, don’t. Just don’t.” She swallowed thickly, but her face held a stern, serious expression. “I know I can’t make you do anything. But I don’t plan on leaving here today without at least saying my peace.”

Fluttershy didn’t have to guess. “You want me to move back.”

“Yes.”

“Well, I…I’m sorry, Mom, I really am. But I can’t do that. You know I can’t.”

Mrs. Shy looked on the verge of screaming, but her voice remained calm and steady. “Then what would convince you? What would you have us do…have me do to make things better? Because you know I’d do anything for you.”

“It’s not you.”

“It has to be. Because I know you wouldn’t just…just put yourself in danger like that. Fluttershy…my Fluttershy wouldn’t do a thing like that. Young lady, be reasonable! You may be bold, but you’re not reckless!”

A dark red color flooded Mrs. Shy’s face from her outburst. With a faint huff of breath, the elder mare paused to fan herself. Fluttershy looked over at her father. Still seated on the bed, Mr. Shy purposefully letting his gaze wander around the room, not once making eye contact with his wife and daughter.

Back in the early days of Fluttershy’s youth, silence was a common guest in their Household. When Zephyr Breeze was napping or out of the house, the other three would seize the moment and engage in their favorite activities in peace. Mr. Shy would reorganize his cloud collection. Mrs. Shy scrapbooked. Fluttershy took up sewing. Hours upon hours would pass by without a single word spoken between them, and that was just fine with the Shy’s.

To them, silence was never awkward or stifling. It was comfortable. Soothing. A family bonding experience. But now, in this small, confined hospital room, a cold and unwelcoming quiet had settled over them all.

“I know I look like a little girl,” Fluttershy finally said, quietly. “But in case you’ve forgotten, I’m in my forties. And I will make my own decisions. You can come visit me anytime…you can even stay over for as long as you want. But I won’t move to back to Cloudsdale.”

An even longer silence followed. Mrs. Shy shuffled around, and her eyes shifted from place to place, as if she were lost. Eventually, she came to a decision and made for the door. “I’m just going to get food,” she choked on the way out. “I’ll be right back.”

Fluttershy watched her go, helpless. She hated seeing her mother so upset. Mr. Shy cleared his throat and glanced down at his wool sweater, inspecting the threads. “You think I’m wrong,” she said to him softly.

Mr. Shy rubbed at the spot close to his right temple. “I know that it’s not ideal, dear. But please, try to put yourself in your mother’s place. You must understand. These past eighteen years…” He shook his head and stood up, leaning heavily on his cane. “You and I both know that your mother doesn’t put her hoof down very often. This means a lot to her.”

“My home is in Ponyville, Dad. I need to be here.”

“No, you want to be here,” Mr. Shy said, surprising Fluttershy with his curtness. “There’s a difference. If what you said about Starlight Glimmer is true, then there’s no stopping her from trying to take you away again. Would it be so bad if you were somewhere safer, until it all passes?”

Fluttershy turned from the door and stood face to face with her father. “Dad…please. I just…I need things to get back to the way they were. I don’t need to be coddled. I just need it to be over.”

“Well, it’s not over, Fluttershy, far from it. Starlight Glimmer is still out there, and until they manage to find her, you’re still in danger.”

“I can handle myself! I know these years have been hard for you and Mom, but—”

“No, I don’t think you do. I don’t think you truly understand what kind of pain we went through. What we all went through. Just wait until you have children, Fluttershy, if that’s your wish. Maybe then you’d understand!”

There was a pause in the air, and after a few tense moments, Mr. Shy held a hoof over his chest. “Oh, dear stars,” he squeaked.

Fluttershy let out a short gasp and immediately took her father between her hooves and hurriedly guided him back to the bed. “Oh no no no, Dad! Are you alright? I’m sorry! Should I call for a Doct—”

“No, no. I’m fine dear,” Mr. Shy panted, waving a hoof. “I just…need to get my breath.” He inhaled an exhaled a few times, then nodded, patting his daughter’s shoulder in reassurance. “I’m alright. I’m sorry for flying off the handle like that, Fluttershy. I shouldn’t have raised my voice.”

The yellow pegasus sighed in relief and gave a small shake of her head. “No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to get upset. It’s just…things might be happening soon. Things that won’t exactly be pleasant. I guess I just feel like I need somepony on my side.”

Smoothing out the edges of her father’s collar, she decided to change the subject. “When Princess Celestia gets here, I’ll see about how we can find Zephyr. Something about all this doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Your brother will be here soon,” Mr. Shy said with a smile. “I just know it.”

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. Fluttershy’s parents stayed with her until lunch and promised that they’d be back the next day. There had been a small disturbance in Rainbow Dash’s room, but the doctors had prevented them from seeing what the trouble was. Instead, they were strongly advised to go downstairs to the cafeteria while they handled things.

Nopony was happy about it, but they didn’t seem to have a choice. “Why can’t they just fix her already?” Rarity said as they rode down the elevator. Two guards rode with them, creating a slightly cramped space. “She sounds like she’s in so much pain. I wish we could just take it away!”

“It ain’t that easy, Rares,” Applejack told her. “It’s not like they can find some magical cure overnight.”

“Princess Celestia could do it,” Twilight said. “If there’s a way to heal Rainbow, or even bring her peace of mind, the Princess will find it.”

“Where is she, anyway? Now that…you-know-who is gone, somepony’s gotta take charge, right?”

Fluttershy stole a small glance at the armored stallions that stood with them. She found it strange that they were expressing themselves so freely in front of royal guards, even though the guards themselves didn’t seem to care. Her friends didn’t look like they minded either.

Pinkie, who couldn’t really participate in the conversation, simply looked up at the arrow pointing to the declining floor numbers while bobbing her head to the elevator music.

“Weeelll,” Rarity said, purposefully drawing out the word. “I happened to hear some of the nurses talking this morning. But I don’t know if it’s true or not. I wouldn’t want to go out spreading gossip.”

Oh, but she did. The sparkle in Rarity’s eyes betrayed any attempts of playing coy. Back before Starlight’s spell, Rarity took care of every pony’s fashion needs, from creating a fancy designer dress out of nothing to replacing a lost button.

Something juicy would always come up during appointments and sessions. This was Rarity’s territory—it had been almost two decades since the last ‘slip of the tongue’.

The others knew it too, sharing knowing looks. “Well, go on now,” Applejack smiled, shaking her head. “Don’t leave us hangin’ out to dry.”

Rarity’s face lit up. “Well,” she repeated with a sly look. “I heard that Princess Celestia has already returned. From where, nopony knows.”

The elevator dinged, and the doors parted. “This way,” one of the guards said, leading the way out.

“Luna was released too,” Rarity continued as they walked through the main lobby.

Doctors, nurses, receptionists, trainees and custodians gave them a wide berth; some even stopped and bowed to Twilight as they passed. Twilight ducked her head and put more speed into her walk.

There was a slight shift in Twilight’s demeanor, Fluttershy was beginning to realize. Her family’s visit had ended a little while ago, but Twilight hadn’t said anything about it. Curiosity nipped at her, but Fluttershy wasn’t one to pry. “I’m sure things will start to get back to normal soon,” Twilight said with quiet confidence. “Sunset said that Princess Luna’s going to get Spike back and I’m sure the royal council will want Princess Celestia back as ruler.”

“Well, they better decide on it soon,” Applejack said, lifting her eyebrows. “We’re in enough trouble as it is.”

The others nodded grimly. No one knew for sure if Princess Celestia was coming back into power or not, but one thing was for certain. Equestria had to have a ruler, and a capable one at that. The nation itself was facing a whole new set of problems, now that it was revealed that they had put a criminal mastermind in charge. Some expressed fear that their country would become a laughingstock of all the other nations and kingdoms.

Equestria had always been respected because of Princess Celestia and Luna. And the ponies hoped to keep it that way.

“I’m sure things will work out,” Fluttershy said, even though she herself wasn’t entirely sure. Still, something positive ought to be said. Since their constant source of optimism couldn’t speak, Fluttershy felt obligated to pick up the slack.

“Perhaps,” Rarity said airily.

When they reached the cafeteria, the guards allowed them to disperse and choose their meals. There weren’t many ponies there other than a few tired surgeons on break. They were clearly trying to act casual, but Fluttershy caught some of them sneaking looks.

Her friends paid little mind and lined up to get food. Fluttershy followed suit and grabbed a lunch trey between her teeth.

But as soon as she did so, she saw two yellow eyes peering at her through the lime green walls.

Fluttershy blinked twice.

The eyes disappeared.

Very odd.

The mares filled their trays and spread out on the tables. Fluttershy made a split decision and sat down next to the spot where Pinkie was sitting. “Hello, Pinkie.”

Pinkie glanced up and smiled her usual smile. But careful attention showed that it was lacking that special sparkle. This smile had a more subdued look. It was small detail that anyone could easily miss, if they didn’t know Pinkie well enough.
Fluttershy couldn’t blame her—she was the one who saw the brick fly through the window. But Pinkie had adamantly insisted that she was fine, so Fluttershy let it be. She set her trey down and looked over at Pinkie’s pile of desserts. “Is the ice cream good?”

Pinkie nodded and inclined her head. Fluttershy could practically hear her voice inside her head, voicing Pinkie’s would-be reply. ‘Of course it is, silly! Ice cream is ice cream!’

“Good. You deserve something sweet, with all that’s happened.” Pinkie slid her plate over to Fluttershy, offering to share. “Oh, no thank you.” She fidgeted a little. “To be honest, I don’t think I’m quite ready for deserts yet. I mean, it’s been a long while.”

Of course, now that she thought about it, all of them had been served small helpings of deserts along with their food since they had arrived, but Fluttershy never saw any of her friends eat any.

Starlight never allowed sweets.

“Pinkie, I’ve been wanting to ask you something. It’s about…what we talked about on the train before we got here.” Pinkie blinked in surprise and risked a glance around them. Their other friends either seemed to be having deep conversations with one another, or were too invested in their lunch. The guards that had been watching them were talking quietly. No one was paying specific attention to the two of them.

Fluttershy made sure to whisper anyway. “You haven’t told anypony, have you?”

Pinkie shook her head quickly.

“Good. I’m not entirely sure about your feelings, though. Especially after seeing the Cakes. And your family’s going to be here soon.”

Pinkie reached up and rummaged around in her curly mane before pulling out a small pink notepad and quill. She flipped it open and wrote down a response.

Well, I’m really angry, but I don’t really hate her, I don’t think.

Fluttershy nodded slowly, then looked into her eyes. “Do you love her still?”

There was a long pause. Then Pinkie wrote carefully, Maybe? I don’t know yet.

Fluttershy let out a breath and whipped her head from side to side, making sure that no one was eavesdropping on them. “Listen, Pinkie,” she said in a low voice. “There’s a lot of ponies that want to hurt her. Our friends included. I don’t disagree that she needs to be punished for what she’s done. But there’s been some talk. Talk of…” She swallowed, upset at even the thought of such a word. “An execution.”

Pinkie’s eyes grew impossibly wide. Can they do that!?

“If ponies are angry enough,” Fluttershy said gravely. “Remember, not only did she steal a Princess away, but she also hindered the process of saving Equestria from threats. In the first few months since our kidnapping, the monster attacks kept coming. We weren’t there to help anymore, and things were much more difficult to manage.” She looked down and rubbed at her foreleg. “When we were in Canterlot, I overheard something. Lots of ponies got seriously hurt during those attacks, Pinkie. Some…some even didn’t make it. Ponies that the Princesses weren’t able to get to in time. That was when Discord decided to step in, to help.”

Pinkie’s hoof went to her mouth.

“I know. We can’t win all the time, I know that…but what if we could have saved them? Oh, Pinkie. I don’t know what to do. She needs to endure the consequences, she needs to. But I don’t know if I can handle her dying. There’s been so much bad lately. So much pain, so much sadness.” Her eyes welled up with tears and her voice broke as she spoke.

“I don’t know if I can handle anymore…”

Pinkie bit her lip, hard. Her nose twitched as she wrote in her notepad. It won’t come to that. I promise. Whatever happens, I’ll be with you.

Fluttershy nearly burst into tears. She and Pinkie shared a small smile, tinged with apprehensiveness. It was more than likely that they would be overruled when the time came. But they would be remiss if they didn’t at least try.

Later that night, Fluttershy lay awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling. The hospital was quiet and still. Not even a peep from Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy dearly hoped that she would be alright. Things weren’t the same without her.

Suddenly, the window flew open, and a breeze blew through her blankets and sheets. She sat up with a gasp, her mane blowing in every direction. “S-S-S-Starlight!?” she cried, trembling all over. She had imagined that the unicorn would come for them, but not this soon. What was she going to do with them? What was happening to the guards she had to have gone through? And what—

A figure emerged through the window. The shivers slowly began to subside…and on her face grew the biggest, brightest smile she ever had in weeks. Her eyes sparkled as she leapt out of bed, just as the figure came floating down to meet her. “I didn’t think you’d come.”

Discord’s tooth gleamed in the darkness as he smiled. “Now, who in Equestria gave you that silly idea?”

Fluttershy beamed. In a flying leap, she launched onto Discord in a tight hug. The two of them laughed and embraced as Discord spun her around. By the time he finally stopped and put her back down, Fluttershy was dizzy with happiness. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

Discord chuckled fondly. A rare look of pure respect and humility graced his narrow face. “Far too long for my liking.” His voice had a soft rumble to it. “You look well, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy glanced down at herself and draped her good wing across her torso. Her head bowed a little. “I look like a foal.”

“All ponies are foals to me,” Discord replied. “I’m very old, you know.”

Fluttershy stared up at his face, studying it. She smiled softly. “You don’t look so old.”

“Well, now. That’s just one more thing we have in common, isn’t it?” He grinned again. “What’s say we get out of here?” He tilted his head toward the window behind him.

“Wh—you mean leave? Discord, I can’t just—Doctor Horse said—’’

“Oh, it’ll only be a moment. You could use some fresh air.” In one swoop, he lifted Fluttershy onto his back.

“Oo!” she squeaked.

“Hold on tight,” Discord advised as he flapped his mismatched wings and flew out into the starry night. Fluttershy gasped and clung to his neck for dear life. She hadn’t been in the air since the Tiger attack, and being up this high wasn’t much help to her stomach.

Thankfully, Discord was able to sense Fluttershy’s apprehensiveness and slowed his speed. Fluttershy breathed in and out a few times and tried not to look down. “Where are we going?”

“Not far,” he assured her, looking up ahead. “Ah, yes. There’s a nice one.” With a flick of his long tail, he flew over to a fluffy night cloud and floated down, landing on all fours. He gently lowered himself down so that Fluttershy could get off as carefully and easily as possible.

“A cloud,” Fluttershy murmured, stepping onto it. “Hmm. I haven’t felt a cloud under my hooves in years.” She took a few slow, deliberate steps, feeling its familiar texture and weight. “Oh…oh my…” Her heart rose to her throat. “This brings back so much…so many memories. It feels…it feels like home.”

“I thought it might,” Discord said, lying on his stomach. His tail flicked lazily in the air as he casually observed the sight below. Fluttershy followed his gaze and sat on her haunches beside him, her eyes misting.

Ponyville was silent under Luna’s pale moon. It didn’t look too awful different, now that Fluttershy had the chance to take it all in. More than a few old shops seemed to have been replaced with new ones, and more houses had been built. Lamp posts lined the different paths in the road, giving the town a soft, warm glow.

It reminded her of the quiet parts of Manehattan, except Ponyville was far more peaceful and small.

A few ponies were still out and about. Some were still out shopping or eating dinner on mushroom tables, while others simply strolled the streets, enjoying the night. Despite the years, it was still the close-knit town that had Fluttershy always loved, and it gave her comfort.

“You’ll be quite safe here,” Discord said, studying her expression. “It’s mild, unlike the town’s borders. Royal nimrods stretched out from here to the Everfree Forest.”

Fluttershy eyed him curiously.

“And,” Discord said, rolling his paw in the air. “I may have put up an invisible protection shield around the entire town. Only ponies with good intentions can pass through—or rather, intentions that don’t include taking you girls away.”
Fluttershy let out a light laugh. She knew her friend all too well. “Thank you, Discord…” She looked back down at the town she loved so dearly. “Why didn’t you come and see me sooner?”

A look of uncertainty crossed Discord’s face. “When you…disappeared…my connection to the six of you...ended. Like a branch cut off from a tree. Harmony and Chaos, they balance each other out. I knew from the moment it happened that something had gone terribly wrong.” His voice dipped in earnest, sending chills up and down Fluttershy’s spine. “There were only a claw full of reasons why that would happen. And none of them were good. I scoured every existing corner of the world, of course. But the search was hopeless from the start.”

Fluttershy thought back to her father. He had told her about the pain everyone had gone through over the years, and how it affected them in the long run. Another weight settled upon her heart. She couldn’t imagine going through something like that. Even the Master of Chaos seemed to have had a hard time with it.

“I would have dreams sometimes,” Discord went on. “Visions of the six of you. And one night, a few weeks ago, I even felt you. Here…” He pressed a paw against his chest. “Right inside. That was my first hint that you were alive, but I couldn’t be sure at the time. It happened to me every night. And with each passing night, the thought of you living grew more and more likely. To me, at least.”

“And when we gained our memories back…” Fluttershy said. “That’s when you knew for sure?”

“The connection righted itself. Yes.”

“But I don’t understand. Why didn’t you come and see us? Ponies said you’d gone missing. Where have you been?”

Discord looked a little embarrassed. “Well…you ponies are rather unpredictable when you go through something…unpleasant. While I knew you were alright, I didn’t know…how you were. I followed you discretely, from Canterlot Castle to here. Looking at you and the others…I figured that you needed the space. That you needed time to…I don’t know…make sense of things, I suppose?” He scratched at the top of his head with an odd frown on his face. Despite being centuries old, he still didn’t seem to understand the true nature of ponies.

“When you disappeared, I was…angry. I made a vow to myself that if I ever found out who did this to you, I would…” He trailed off, seeing the unease growing in Fluttershy’s eyes. “Ahem. Well, you get the picture. The thought of avenging you was the only thing keeping me going. Helping the little ponies here had some reward, but it didn’t quite…feel the same. Not like our friendship.”

Fluttershy could have sworn that she saw a hint of color flushing his cheeks. He really was soft at heart. So few ponies would ever know it.

“And when the truth revealed itself…when I realized it was just another little pony...I was dumbfounded. And it fueled my anger even more. A simple little unicorn…who would have thought? I thought about going after her, just as I had promised. But then I thought, and thought, and then thought some more. I was thinking about you, and how you would feel about me going after the unicorn. If it wasn’t you, Fluttershy, I wouldn’t have thought this at all. But when I found out about what she had done with the six of you…something told me that you wouldn’t be too awful pleased with me if I killed her.”

“Oh, Discord—’’

“I can kill her if you wish,” Discord said rather eagerly. “At first it would have been difficult for me to look for her—I need to be near a pony to sense their personal magical print. But luckily for us, there’s traces of her print all over you. And now that I have a sense of it, I could track her down like that.” He snapped his claw in emphasis.

Fluttershy flinched at the sound and looked away.

Discord sighed. “I thought as much. Which is why I put my primal desires on hold and returned home. You’re the only thing she could want, so I thought it better to stay closer to you just in case. I planned to remain there until you needed me. But then I sensed a disturbance. A throwing of a brick.”

“It couldn’t have been Starlight,” Fluttershy said, turning back to him. “Could it?”

“No, it wasn’t her. Not at all.” He gave her a side look and raised a bushy eyebrow. “But between you and me, I’d keep a close eye on your fellow towns ponies if I were you. I feel something stirring amongst them. And it’s not their usual cheer.”

Fluttershy looked down at Ponyville. Trouble amongst their neighbors? Already? She wrapped her good wing around her torso again. It was unavoidable, she supposed. She could only imagine the possible anger and confusion bubbling beneath the surface. Maybe it was foolish to think that things could go back to the way they were before. Maybe her parents were right after all. But she couldn’t leave her friends, especially not now.

“I’m getting released from the hospital tomorrow,” she said. “All of us are, except for Rainbow Dash.”

“Well, you’ll be happy to know that your cottage had remained unchanged,” Discord said. “I made sure that nopony ever moved in, or removed anything from its place. When you go back, you’ll find everything just as you left it.”

“You mean…you kept it there all this time?”

“Well…yes. It was a piece of you, after all.” He scratched the back of his neck, looking awkwardly off to the side.

The pegasus responded with a warm hug. “You really are a true friend, Discord.”

The Master of Chaos only chuckled before clearing his throat, patting Fluttershy on the back. “I don’t…” his jovial mood darkened a little as he paused. “I don’t suppose…you’d want to talk about what happened during that time.” He looked uncertain again. “Ponies are sensitive about that sort of thing too. But you can. Talk to me, that is. But only if you want.”

“Not right away,” Fluttershy said with a small shake of her head. “It’s all moving so fast. I don’t think I’ve had time to really think about things.”

She looked up at the bright moon. “I did have a thought today. I think it’s my first memory of her—as her daughter, I mean. She saved me from falling out of a window. I was at least two, maybe three years old.” She looked at Discord. “By then, I’m sure you were all accepting our deaths. It’s funny—I remember us calling each other by our real names, but the different names she gave us seemed to blur into it. I think something happened later on, something she did to make us forget. I-I don’t know. It’s all so confusing.”

Discord had listened quietly. “Do you want me to go after her, Fluttershy?”

Now that was the question. Discord could probably find Starlight faster than all the guards in Equestria ever could. Part of her admitted to wanting to see her again. But on the other hoof, the thought of looking into Starlight’s eyes again made her want to vomit…not in revulsion, but in pain, emotional pain. No, she needed time, she just needed a little more time to come to terms with her feelings.

Besides—the punishment that was sure to await the unicorn would arrive much faster than Fluttershy was comfortable with. She looked at Discord, who stared at her intently, but patiently. She could tell that he was just itching to grab Starlight and make her pay for every wrong she had caused, but she herself was the only one holding Discord back. He didn’t want anything to potentially damage their friendship, especially now. He knew Fluttershy would be reluctant in delivering a severe punishment to a pony she had spent a lifetime with. He knew it would be important to her. And so he stayed. This was a welcoming change in Fluttershy’s eyes.

“No,” she finally said. “Everypony else is already out looking. They will find her, sooner or later.”

Discord gave a nod, though she could tell that he was disappointed. “Very well, my dear. Shall I take you back to your room?”

Fluttershy nodded. As they stood up, Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “Actually, Discord…there is somepony you can find for me, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“For you? Not at all,” Discord said, though he looked surprised. “Who’s the pony?”

“My brother. Zephyr Breeze.”

Author's Note

(Insert sorry for the long wait here). I have a job now, and school so things got delayed. Don't worry about the other reunions, like the last few chapters, these will be happening at the same time. Once we get through the reunion part, we can barrel down the path to the end, and I'm excited to get to it.

Itsy bitsy wasn't itsy at all because I'm insane that way. It wasn't intended to be this freaking LONG, but it ended up that way. Fluttershy's perspective is very importantm because she's the only one to have the strongest love for Starlight.

Oh, and uh, speaking of reunions, feel free to drop a comment and click on over to the next chapter. That's right, we're going double time, because I'm insane. I'll express more thoughts at the end of that one.

Chapter 22 - Mommy and Daddy Issues

“Here now, open wide,” Starlight said, levitating the spoon full of medicine.

Prism’s nose wrinkled, and she jerked her head to the side. “Uh-uh.”

“Oh, come on now! I thought we were over this by now. It’s the only way you can get better. Now turn and face me and open your mouth!”

Starlight’s hoof reached out and tried to guide the filly’s chin toward the spoon. Prism shook her head vigorously and threw her blanket over her head. “No!”

Starlight let out a low, frustrated growl. Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open, followed by a shriek of laughter. “I got you, I got you, you’re it!” Sunshine shouted. She pounced on top of Moonlight, and the two of them rolled around on the floor in front of the doorway, laughing and screaming.

“Hey, hey, hey, no!” Starlight said. “I told you fillies, take your games outside in the living room! Go on now, go!”

Prism lowered the covers above her nose, and she watched as her sisters got up and closed the door behind them. Muffled sounds of laughter faded away as they ran off to play some more. Starlight looked down at the forlorn expression on Prism’s face. “You wouldn’t have to stay in bed and miss out if you took your medicine more.”

“But it’s not fair!” Prism complained, squirming beneath the covers. “It tastes awful. I’m not even that sick anyway!” She sniffed, turning and burying her face into her pillow.

“Well, I don’t know about that. Watery eyes, scratchy throat, stuffed up nose…and your forehead might as well be a little blue furnace. You sure seem sick to me.” She chuckled. “Isn’t that something? Whenever you try to get out of something you don’t want to do, you insist that you’re too sick. And when you really are too sick, you insist that you’re just fine.”

Prism said nothing.

“I’ll tell you what. If you take a mouthful of this, I’ll make you something delicious to eat.”

“Like what?”

“Whatever you want.”

Slowly, the covers slid down Prism’s face, revealing a small smile. “Mashed potatoes?”

Starlight grinned. “Perhaps that could be arranged…if somepony takes her medicine.”

Prism wasted no time. She sat straight up and opened wide, allowing Starlight to put the spoon in. She swallowed and smacked her lips twice before grimacing. “Blegh! Still nasty.” She paused and erupted in a fit of coughs.

Starlight eased her onto her back and pulled the covers up to her chin. “Nasty, but good for you.” She placed a hoof on her forehead. “Hm. Still warm, but at least it’s not as bad as yesterday, or the day before…. I think.”

She reached over to the bed side table and titled the medicine bottle upward. “He said it would do the trick,” she muttered under her breath. “I ought to go back down to that miserable market and demand a refund.”

Prism coughed three more times and groaned. “I hate being sick.”

“Everypony does, my starling,” Starlight replied distractedly. Lighting up her horn, she levitated a small wash rag and dipped it back down inside the bucket of water that sat beside the bed. Bringing it back out, she wrung the cloth and placed it across Prism’s sweaty forehead. “Everypony does.”

Prism sighed, lazily opening and closing her eyes. “Mama…can I ask you something?”

“Sweetie, I’d rest your voice for now. We don’t want your throat hurting any more than it already does.”

“You told us…about the birds and the bees,” Prism said, ignoring Starlight’s advice. “and about how a mommy and a daddy can make foals together.”

Starlight paused, eyeing her daughter strangely.

“And, well…you’re our mommy. So…we have to have a dad, right? And if we have a dad…where did he go? Why isn’t he here?”

Starlight stopped and stared down at Prism. Slowly, she sat back on the filly’s bed, biting her lip. The question clearly seemed to make her uncomfortable, but something told Prism that she wasn’t too awful startled about it. “Well, I suppose you’re old enough to know,” she said. Clearing her throat, Starlight started to speak slowly, carefully. “Prism…everypony and every creature has a mother and father. But not every mother and father are…fit for the role.”

Prism’s sweaty eyebrows knitted together.

“Uhh…okay, how about this. The ponies in Equestria…they all mean well. But no matter what, there will always be some type of flaw inside of them. And though it might be easy to forget, mommies and daddies are ponies too. Which means that they too have flaws.”

Prism blinked. “There was something wrong with daddy?”

“In a sense. I…fell in love with him, and we married. And soon afterward, we decided to have the six of you. But before all of you were born, he changed his mind…and he left.” She smiled sweetly, patting Prism’s cheek. “Your daddy has commitment issues. But you know what? We’re better off for it.”

“…oh.” Prism’s mouth puckered, and her brow furrowed. Starlight soaked the cloth several times and continued placing it across the filly’s head. After a while, Prism spoke up again. “I’d never leave you like that. Not ever. You’re the best mom in all Equestria.”

Starlight froze. Color rose in her cheeks, and the look on her face reminded Prism of Buttercup whenever she was being praised for something—surprised. Bashful. But that didn’t make much sense. Surely, her mother had to know how much she had done for them. Having six foals on her own must have been scary.

“Well, I feel that every mom should be equally great in what they do,” Starlight said lightheartedly, her blush fading. “But thank you very much, Prism.” She seemed to want to leave it at that, but a sudden smile broke onto her face. “I’d never leave your precious little face either!”

Prism squealed as Starlight tickled the nape of her neck. “Stop it, stop it! That part’s sensitive!”

“I know,” Starlight said wickedly.

“Moooooom!”

The torture lasted longer than she could possibly take. By the time Starlight finally pulled her hoof away, she was more exhausted than she was before. But it was a good kind of exhausted. Her small chest puffed up and down as she tried to catch her breath, tears of laughter staining her coat.

“No…fair,” she panted.

“All’s fair in love and tickles.” The two of them giggled.

Prism sighed as her eyelids drooped. “I’m tired.”

“Then sleep.” Starlight leaned forward to kiss her forehead, but Prism shook her head weakly.

“Mm-mm. You’ll get sick too.”

“Ohh, don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine.” She leaned in again and successfully planted a kiss. “Get some rest. I’ll have your mashed potatoes ready for you when you wake up.”

“Sounds good,” Prism murmured, her eyes already closed. She smiled as she felt Starlight’s hoof gently caress the side of her face.

“You’ll be alright soon,” Starlight whispered as the filly began to fall asleep. “I promise you.”

“LET ME OUT!” Rainbow Dash screamed, fighting violently against the straps securing her to the bed. “LET ME OUT OF HERE!”

“Take it easy, Miss Dash,” said a voice somewhere in the darkness. “Remember what we talked about? As soon as you calm down, we’ll be glad to take those restraints off you. Try and work with me here.”

“I said let me out!” Rainbow yelled. Her head thrashed from side to side, her multi-colored mane tossing over her face, into her eyes, and into her mouth. “You’ve got no right to keep me here!”

“We’re only making sure that you don’t hurt yourself or those around you,” the voice replied, infuriatingly calm. “You wouldn’t want to risk harming your friends, would you?”

“You’re a lot dumber than I thought if you think that I’d hurt them,” she growled back. “It’s not me you should be punishing!”

“But we’re not punishing you. We’re taking care of you.”

“Liar…liar! Why don’t you just admit it?”

“Admit what, Miss Dash?”

“You know what! This isn’t Ponyville Hospital. Not really. It’s all fake, all of it. It’s just another trick. Starlight, she conjured all this up. It’s all an illusion. She’s making us think that we’re in Ponyville!”

“Hmm. What makes you think that?”

Rainbow tried to bang her head on the headboard, but ended up hitting the pillow relentlessly. “Rainbow Dash…. Rainbow Dash.” The voice sighed as the pegasus continued to violently bang her head.

And then a distant sound of breaking glass split the air, followed by an ear-shattering scream. The voice let out a gasp, and from somewhere off in the distance, Rainbow could hear the creak of an opening door. She could see a small bit of light, but the actual door was far from her line of vision.

“Brick,” came a breathless new voice. “Somepony threw a brick.”

Urgent hooves made for the door, followed by a loud slam.

“Hey,” said Rainbow Dash. “Hey!”

Filled with fury, the pegasus kicked, thrashed and bucked against her restraints. It must have been hours or days later when she finally collapsed from sheer exhaustion.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

The familiar sound of a clock filled the room. Now that all was quiet, she could hear it more clearly.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

Low voices conversed in the distance.

Tick, tock, Tick tock.

Maybe this was stage two of Starlight’s revenge. The first, spending eighteen years making them think that she was their mother, and she loved them.

The second, spending another eighteen years as her true self, and torturing them little by little. But Rainbow wouldn’t let that happen. She wouldn’t be helpless this time. She wouldn’t fall for this illusion. As long as she stayed firm, the illusion would soon break, and she could rescue her friends.

They can’t be hurt again.

The darkness remained, blanketing her in an eternal state of stillness. The world fell away, then came back into view. Over and over again.

Fade. Return. Fade. Return.

And every time she came back, the sound was there to greet her.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

Fatigue rolled over her like a wave by the ocean. Sometimes, nearby voices would try to break through her haze, calling her back to them. Figures in the dark hovered over her, poking and prodding her with sharp instruments.

Others were more gentle...coaxing food into her mouth, and running a comb through her mane.

Rainbow Dash ignored all of it. Starlight could do anything she wanted to her. No matter what, she wouldn’t be fooled. Nothing could break her focus now. It would only be a matter of time before this little experiment would run dry.

Then she would be free.

She was almost home.
But the next time she surfaced, something happened. “I don’t care! I don’t care! I want to see her, now!”

That voice…where had she heard it before?

A deeper voice rose up in anger. “I told you, she’s nowhere near ready! She’s simply not stable; I can’t let— “

“Doctor,” came a third voice, also strangely recognizable. “Please. All we want is to see her face again, just once.”

“I know what this means to you both, but I’m sorry. She’s not herself, she isn’t—Hey, hey, hey, stop, you can’t go in--!”

There was a creak, then a loud bang. “Why in Equestria is it so dark in here?”

Her muscles went rigid.

“Rainbow?” A dark silhouette was already at her side, its breath tickling her cheek. “Oh, honey…it’s me. It’s me baby, it’s me!”

“Miss Whistle,” said the angry voice. “You can’t be in here!”

“Why the hell is she tied up? Undo these straps, now!”

“Miss Whistle, I told you—’’

“Rainbow Dash,” came a deep, choked voice. It came from the other side of her, causing the furs of the back of her neck to stand up. “Oh, my girl. My girl…”

No. No no no no no.

Out of all the dirty tricks, this was the cruelest. Now Starlight was making her hear her parent’s voices!

“Baby, what’s the matter?”

A hoof caressed the side of her face. “You’ll be alright soon,” Starlight whispered. “I promise.”

No. No.

She’ll never fall for it.

Never!

“NO!” she screamed, thrashing. “Get away from me! Don’t touch me!”

“Get them out of here!” the angry voice barked.

There was a scuffling of hooves, and the silhouettes clung to her. “No! Stop! She needs our help!”

“Ma’am, let’s go.”

“Hey, get your hooves off my wife! Hey, hey, get off me, get off! Rainbow!”

“Rainbow!” the feminine voice screamed, sobbing. “I love you. I love you! We’ll be right here, I promise!”

I promise.

Rainbow Dash threw her head back and screamed to the very top of her lungs, her throat raw and ragged.

“OUT!” yelled the angry voice.

There was a scuffle, and the anguished voices started to fade away, taking their cries and threats with them. “Doctor, the rest of the girls can hear her,” a new voice said as several shadows descended upon Rainbow, holding her down.

“Then have them all go downstairs to the Cafeteria,” the angry voice replied, now sounding tired. “They’re well enough to move about now. Besides…they shouldn’t see this.”

“It’s alright now,” said a calming voice above her. Something sharp poked her. “It’s alright.”

The world faded again.

Author's Note

It would have been longer, but there's not much to put when you're writing someone crazy. So, five down, one to go. Twilight. I was going to put a hint to where Starlight is, but I though it was best suited for the next chapter along with Twi's reunion.

And then we'll take the violent path to the end.

In my mind, there's only one way this story CAN end. Apologies for all the doom and gloom, I'll try and lighten it up some. Hope you guys are still with me, the next chapter will be on its merry way.

Thanks!

Prologue

Starlight Glimmer released a shuddering sigh as she pushed through the stinging rain. Her body was covered in a cloak, and the hood covered her head, but not even the thick fabric could keep her from freezing her flank off.

But it’ll all be worth it, the unicorn thought. Once…once I get there…I can start again… soon….very soon…

She grimaced when she stepped in a puddle of mud. I never liked the country…

Thunder clapped overhead, and the winds picked up. But Starlight stayed the course, and continued to push herself even further. Up ahead, she saw a darkened sign on a grassy hill.

Grunting, she trudged forward and lit up her horn. A crazed, sadistic grin slowly spread across her face as she read the wording.

Welcome to Ponyville!

BOOM!

“Whoo hoo!” Pinkie shouted, tilting her head backwards and sticking out her tongue so that she could taste the rain.

“What’s the big idea?” Rainbow Dash shouted over the winds, her wings flapping hard against the rain. “We didn’t schedule a storm for today! Not for a couple of months!”

Thunderlane shrugged defensively. “I-I-I don’t know! It just came outta nowhere!”

Cloudkicker nodded. “We can’t get rid of it! The clouds, they’re too thick to bust! We’ll only make it worse if we try!”

Rainbow drew a sharp breath. “Okay, fine. If we can’t get rid of it, we’ll just have to work with it. Help me push these clouds away from the monumental buildings. At least that way, lightning won’t strike ‘em!”

Below them, Rarity carefully maneuvered around the puddles in the ground so that her purple raincoat would stay clean. Pinkie splashed into one right next to her, drenching the unicorn with water. “Pinkie Pie!”

The party pony grinned sheepishly. “Sorry! I just love splashing in puddles, especially the really big ones what go sploosh! It’s my favorite thing to do whenever it rains, aside from catching raindrops with my tongue—like this! Aaaaah~!”

“No thank you,” Rarity muttered, using her magic to ring out her soaked rain cap. She briefly observed Pinkie Pie’s plain yellow raincoat and cap, along with her pale yellow boots. It was so bright; she had to squint in order to look at the excitable mare. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of orange.

It was Applejack, clad in a lime green raincoat of her own. “Well don't this beat all!” she shouted to them. “This has got to be one of the worst storms we’ve had since our sleepover!”

“I agree,” Rarity said running a hoof down her mane. “It’s never been so horrid!”

Twilight Sparkle trotted over them with Spike right beside her, carrying a parchment and quill as usual. Twilight’s raincoat was cherry red. “Okay girls, every pony but the weather team is safe indoors. Applejack, what’s the status on Sweet Apple Acres?”

“Everythin’s all locked up and bolted down. Good thing we bucked those apples early today. My family’s all accounted for too.”
Spike jotted it down on the parchment, which jerked violently in the winds.

“And I’ve cleared away all of the large debris,” Rarity said.

“And I stopped by each and every house to make sure everypony had their emergency kits,” Pinkie Pie added proudly.

Spike grunted in irritation as he tried to write it all down without the parchment flying away.

Twilight nodded. “Okay, good. Has anypony seen—"

BOOM!

"EEEEP!” Applejack turned her head, surprised to see a trembling bush behind her.

“Oh--never mind. How are the woodland creatures, Fluttershy?”

The frightened pegasus slowly climbed out of her little bush, revealing her magenta colored raincoat. “A-All the animals are s-s-safe at my c-c-cottage,” she shivered.

“Alrighty then!” Twilight chirped. “Good work, everypony! Ponyville should still be in good shape by the time this storm passes." She knelt down to her bristling assistant and smiled. “You’ve done a wonderful job, Spike. You can go home and rest now.”

Spike grinned and expertly rolled up the list and tucked it under his arm. “You coming with, Twilight?”

“In a minute. We’ve gotta check with Rainbow Dash first and see how big this storm’s gonna get.”

“Okay. I’ll fix us some hot coca for tonight.”

Twilight grinned. “Extra marshmallows?”

“And extra whipped cream!” Spike added with a wink.

The two hugged before Spike waved at the others. “See you, guys! Oh, and say goodbye to Dash for me!”

“Be careful!” Twilight called after him.

The winds picked up dangerously and the rain came down even harder. Applejack kept a firm grip on her rain cap. After a few minutes of waiting, a rainbow colored blur eventually crossed their vision in the sky. Rainbow Dash plopped down next to them, her mane and tail hopelessly soaked. She shook her head apologetically. “It’s no use! It’s too strong! There’s no way we can handle it!”

Rarity’s eyes widened. “It’s that bad?”

Rainbow’s brow furrowed, the way it always did whenever she was genuinely worried. “Worse.”

“We’d better get inside,” Twilight said, thinking on her hooves.

But as soon as the words left her mouth, a strong gust of wind swooped over them, so powerful, that it knocked each pony off her hooves. “WHOA!” Pinkie gasped. “That was huge!”

“My outfit! Riddled with mud!” Rarity wailed.

Rainbow Dash spat something out and scowled. “Give me a break! You’re not the one with a mouthful of dirt!”

Applejack was the first to recover, already standing upright. “On your hooves, everypony! We’re gonna have to make a break for it!”
Everypony rose quickly and ran blindly through the unforgiving storm. The only thing clearly visible was the occasional silhouette of trees and houses and the pounding rain, which now stung like fire on their faces.

C-r-rac-k!

Fluttershy gave a cry of warning. A large tree came toppling down towards them. Some yelled out in surprise as they dodged, the oak tree missing them by that much. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth as the ground shook beneath them when the tree made contact with the ground.

“I-Is everypony okay?” she heard Twilight shout.

“I’m alright!” Rarity called back.

“Same here!”

“I-I’m okay…”

“I’m good!”

“Fit as a fiddle!”

Rainbow was pretty sure she heard Twilight say something else, but her voice died out in the wind. “WHAT?” she screamed. But all she could hear was the thunder, wind, and lightning.

“Dashie!”

Rainbow’s ears perked up in attention. “P-Pinkie Pie?” Her head whipped around until she spotted a pink and yellow blur ten feet away. Relief flooded through her now that she spotted one of her friends safe and sound. “Pinkie, come here!”

Pinkie galloped over to her, soaked from top to bottom. She leaned against Rainbow and looked up at her with a wobbly smile as she shivered. “Y-Y-You okay?”

Rainbow wrapped a wing around her and gave her a cocky grin. “I’m still here, aren’t I? What did Twilight say just now?”

Pinkie Pie sniffled. “I dunno. All I heard her say was “Town Hall”.

Rainbow Dash frowned and looked ahead. She could just barely make out the building’s faint outline in the distance. “Well, she’s lost her marbles if she thinks we’re gonna get that far. I can barely see it now!”

“Aw, c-come on, Rainbow! Where’s your s-sense of adventure? Whaddaya say! Last one to Town Hall’s a moldy carrot!”

The pegasus gazed at Town Hall once again and turned to Pinkie with a grin. “You’re on!”

“Winning only brings the worst ego filt conceit….”

Both mares jumped. “Who-who said that?” Rainbow demanded.

“…Maybe that was only the wind?” Pinkie asked after a while.

Rainbow Dash frowned. “I doubt it. I think we’re being watched.”

“You mean we have a stalker? Oooh! That’s so cool!”

“What?! No it’s not! It’s creepy!” Rainbow raised her head. “You hear that, bub? It’s creepy! So why don’t you turn tail while you have the chance—or pony up and show yourself!”

“Friend or foe?” Pinkie called out as Rainbow sneaked over to a nearby bush. It rustled slightly; Rainbow smirked victoriously and pulled the leaves back.

“Gotch—wh…what…”

Rainbow felt a knot in her stomach as she watched a unicorn’s supercharged magic grow and form into a threatening ball just above her horn. The pony opened her eyes and locked gazes with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, a chilling smile creeping across her face. Rainbow only had the time to shift her panicked gaze to her friend. “PINKIE, RU—"

BOOM!

“….Did you hear that?” Fluttershy whispered, peeking out the window.

Rarity was busy gathering extra blankets and health kits that she had stored in her break room. Her horn was the only source of light in the pitch black boutique, due to the storm cutting the power out. “Hear what, darling?”

“I…I thought I heard a foal crying.”

Rarity couldn’t help but chuckle. “A foal? Out there, in this wretched storm?”

“Well…at least I think it was a foal. I could’ve sworn I heard somepony crying…”

Rarity looked up and nodded towards the window. “It might’ve been those branches, dear. It might sound like crying when they scrape together like that.”

Fluttershy looked up at the colliding tree branches swaying in the wind and frowned. “Oh.”

“Now let’s stop thinking about creaking tree branches and start thinking about how to find our friends. Here you are…” Rarity levitated her saddlebag filled with neatly folded blankets onto Fluttershy’s back. “Now all we need a flashlight helmet for you and and an extra umbrella, just in case. I think I might have those in my room…” The unicorn turned and started up the stairs, the bright light fading away as she reached the top.

“R-Rarity…”

“You know, it’s awfully lucky we both managed to find my boutique, Fluttershy!” Rarity called over her shoulder. Rarity’s aura disappeared upstairs, leaving Fluttershy alone in a blanket of darkness. Her eyes darted around nervously as the noises of the storm grew louder outside. Fluttershy took a few calming breaths to calm her pounding heart.

She wasn’t a fan of the dark, not at all. And even though she knew Rarity was just upstairs, she felt more alone than ever.

Cr-ee-e-k

The pegasus jumped and whirled around. “H-Hello? R-Rarity? I-Is that you?” A few more moments of silence followed by the occasional clap of lightning greeted her ears. Fluttershy closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief, until she felt a hoof on her shoulder.

Fluttershy jumped and screamed until she saw Rarity beside her with a flashlight helmet on her head. “Good heavens, Fluttershy!” the unicorn gasped, holding a hoof to her chest. “You almost gave me a heart attack!”

Fluttershy's eyebrows furrowed and her lower lip curled into a pout. “I almost gave you a heart attack? You were the one sneaking around!”

“Sneaking around?” Rarity repeated with a snort. “Didn’t you hear me coming?”

“Yes—well—maybe, but—"

“Join in our utopia, come out of the dark…”

Fluttershy’s blood went cold, and Rarity turned around with a puzzled frown. “What—" Her sentence was cut off at the sight of a blinding blue light.

BOOM!

“It’s really comin' down out there,” Applejack observed, gazing out of one of Town Hall’s windows.

Twilight paced back and forth a few feet away looking ticked off. “’Meet us at Town Hall,’ I said. I said that three times. But do they listen? No! Now they’re probably lost in that horrible storm!” She stopped short and turned to her farm bound friend. “We have to go back out there. There’s no telling what kind of danger they could be in!”

Applejack gave a firm nod and replaced her half-dry rain cap back on her head. “Though, I have to say, Twilight,” she grunted, pushing the door open. “Finding them in this storm’ll be like findin’ a needle…in a…haystack?”

The two ponies stood in shock at the sight before them. Ponyville was as still as a photograph. Broken-off tree branches, flowers and debris scattered the ground, and the houses and buildings were finally visible, for the rain had stopped.

Drops of water ripping off leaves and the occasional sounds of frogs and crickets in the distance sounded eerie compared to the sounds thunder, wind, and lightning that had mysteriously vanished. “Uh…did the storm just…pass?” Applejack asked in disbelief. “But it was gettin’ worse just a second ago!”

“That is strange,” Twilight said, looking up at the starry sky above. “I thought Rainbow Dash said they couldn’t control it. And I don’t see any pegasi up there, do you?”

“Nope. But I ‘spose I won't complain about it, if it means finding our friends.” Twilight looked at Applejack, the moonlight breaking through the farm pony’s mane. “I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth!”

Twilight laughed lightly. “No, I can’t say you are. And neither am I. How about we go check where the tree fell and work our way up from there?”

“That sounds…” Applejack trailed off her sentence, her mouth hanging wide open.

Twilight quirked an eyebrow. “What?” She followed Applejack’s shocked gaze and gasped. There, about fifteen feet away, sat a large woven basket, filled with four sleeping foals. Two pegasi, a unicorn, and an earth pony. An adult unicorn stood next to the basket, her magic illuminating her smirking face.

“G-Girls?!” Twilight squeaked.

Starlight held a hoof to her lips. “Shhhh. We mustn’t wake them.”

Applejack refrained herself from lunging at the ex-mayor, her emerald eyes blazing with fury. “What did you do to them!?”

Starlight cackled at the mares’ distress. “Oh! Oh, the looks on your faces! Now I know, this will be worth my while!”

Twilight fixed her nemesis with a glare, knowing she had the upper hoof in the situation. “What do you want, Starlight?”

“What do I want? Twilight, Twilight, Twilight….” Starlight clicked her tongue while slowly shaking her head. “I thought you were smarter than that. I want revenge, of course. But I’m here mostly for justice. I’m here to right all of the wrongs you’ve caused me.”

“The only pony that did any wrong was you,” Applejack muttered, glancing at the basket. “We did what we had to do. You can’t force ponies to have the same cutie mark. You just can’t.”

Starlight gripped the basket with her magic, making Twilight and Applejack tense where they stood. The pink unicorn gave them a look of warning. “Don’t…interrupt me.” When the two stayed silent, Starlight continued. “So I found my way out of the caves, and began to do research on you. And I began to watch all of you….study you.” Starlight grinned upon Twilight’s confused expression.

“Remember that lunch you had at Canterlot with all of your dear old friends? For a Princess, you should really be more aware of your surroundings.”

Twilight’s eyes widened at the memory. She’s been right under our noses this whole time?

“Let them go, Starlight,” Twilight said, fighting to keep her voice steady. “Let them go, and I’ll go with you instead. You’ll still have me!”

“Twilight, no!” Applejack hissed.

“Please, A.J.,” Twilight whispered back. She didn’t know how Starlight had managed to turn her friends back to foals or why...nopony could do those spells! Not even her! but if Applejack could get them to Princess Celestia, she might be able to change them back.

“They’ve done nothing to you….please!”

Starlight snorted. “Nothing, huh? Quite the contrary.” Her grin faded into a distasteful frown as she looked down at the sleeping foals. “Observe. Rarity and Rainbow Dash’s attitudes made my villagers think they could stand up to me! They’ve never back talked, they never rebelled, never gave me any sass until they opened their mouths!

"Pinkie Pie questioned and insulted my ethics since she first stepped hoof in my town! And Fluttershy… Dear Fluttershy… she betrayed me. You may be my primary target, Twilight Sparkle, but your friends deserve every bit of punishment you’re going to get, including Applejack.”

Twilight stepped back and unconsciously raised a protective wing in front of Applejack. “…Punishment?”

Twilight didn’t feel the force of magic striking her. Instead, she saw images. Flashing images of her life, going backwards.

Tantabus, meeting Starlight, her fight with Tirek, the Tree of Harmony, her friends in the human world, her Princess Transformation, The mirror pool, Trixie’s return, The Crystal Empire, Her brother’s wedding, trying to stop time, Discord, her first Gala, Pinkie sense, moving a Dragon from his cave, Nightmare Moon, the Elements of Harmony, meeting her friends, meeting Princess Celestia, her Canterlot friends, her cutie mark, Spike, Cadence, Shining Armor, Dad, Mom….blank.

Starlight smiled victoriously as she leaned down and scooped up baby Twilight Sparkle and rocked her. “Don’t worry, Twilight. I’ll teach you about what it means to have the same talent as everypony else. You’ll be much happier, I promise.” She gently placed the tiny purple unicorn in the basket with the others.

Then she turned to the last foal on the ground, cooing softly. Starlight chuckled and picked her up. “And you, Applejack…I’ll be the mother you never had.” The foal looked up at her with curious eyes; then she playfully stuck her tongue out.

The older pony smiled wryly. “And I’ll teach you how to be a lady too.” She picked up the basket with her magic and let Applejack ride on her back as she took the exiting path. “You’re a bit rough around the edges for me.”

Author's Note

So that's the start...this idea popped into my head ever since the premiere, but never really put much thought into it until now. I have an idea what will occur as the season progresses, but since it's hiatus time again, I figured, why not?

Chapter 10 - Straight For the Castle

Spike soared through the cool night air, his massive wings spread out like proud banners against the current of the wind. His emerald green eyes searched the lands for signs of any trouble. Hmm. All’s quiet on the Canterlot Front. Let’s see where else it’s coming from. He rose higher into the sky, up past the reach of the mountains below. The tiny dot known as Ponyville sat nestled in a patch of grass, unnoticed and unbothered by the world that surrounded it. How it should be.

He breathed in the wispy night clouds and swooped down below before flipping himself around.

“I...think we’re done here,” Starlight panted as her horn discharged of magic.

Prism threw her head back, her sweaty mane slapping the back of her neck as she shouted into the stars. “Thank goodness!”

Sapphire collapsed to the ground in a dramatic fashion and gasped for air. “My..horn hurts,” she moaned. Buttercup stumbled over and hovered her forehoof next to her sister’s horn.

“It’s warm,” she sighed. “Give it time to rest, it’ll be fine.”

“We’ll camp over here for tonight,” their mother said, gesturing to a nearby Druid Arch with several other rocks among its base. “Will somepony please get a fire going?” she asked as she went to scout out the area.

“Yeah,” Prism muttered after a while. “Anypony got any matches?”

“Hush, Prism,” Sunshine reproached, rolling her eyes. “We’ll just have to do it the old fashioned way.”

Buttercup and Sapphire trotted over with the scattered branches they found while Moonlight gathered rocks with her magic and placed them in a neat circle and stacked them.

“By rubbing a bunch of sticks together?” Prism deadpanned with a snort. “Why don’t I just--”

Sunshine cut her off, shoving a hoof in her mouth. “I think you’ve done enough burning for one night.”

Prism eyed the end of Sunshine’s tail, which was signed black and pulled away with an indignant frown. “I said I was sorry,” she grumbled. She turned to Pearl who was standing far off to the side, kicking at the dirt with her hooves. “And why aren’t you helping?”

The pink mare blinked before giving a sheepish grin. “I would, buuuut…” She gestured to the dark and wet patches of sand around them that were quickly beginning to dry. “I probably wouldn’t be much help to you.” She snickered at the thought.

“I’ll do it,” Moonlight sighed, levitating two sticks and in the air and making them collide. “I know this has been a long trip, girls, but we can’t fall apart now. We have a purpose to fulfill and we’re drawing closer to Canterlot every day. It’s a trying experience, but it’s meant to be. Anything we truly want needs to be worked for. You might be thinking that someone else is being a major pain in the flank...but just remember one thing.”

Several eyes blinked at her.

“...You’re all a pain in the flank.”

Bursts of laughter and groans filled the air, making Moonlight grin. A spark ignited from the branches, and soon they had a nice and warm fire between them. Soon, their mother came to join them, looking extremely pleased. “Not bad for your first time sleeping outdoors,” she smiled. “Not bad at all. You girls work together wonderfully.”

Sapphire moved to her mother's side and clutched her cloak tighter to her chest. “Are you sure we’ll be safe out here, mother?” she asked, eyeing the flat and sandy atmosphere with slight apprehension.

“It’s so dark,” Buttercup added, her ears flattening against her head.

Starlight smiled softly. “Do not fear the shadows, my children. Look how beautifully the stars twinkle over the sinking sun. Feel that cool breeze underneath your fur. I know this is your first night sleeping outside, but it is nothing to be afraid of. I’m always here to protect you, starlings. Don’t ever forget.”

****

Mom was right. The stars were nothing short of brilliant, the galaxies and cosmos lighting up the sky brighter than the sun itself. Moonlight’s tail swished around as she continued to stare on her back while her family slept in a circle around her. With a view like this, who NEEDS sleep? she thought excitedly.

A white trail streaked across the sky, making her mouth form an ‘O’. “A shooting star,” she murmured to herself. “I remember reading about you…”

She briefly wondered if it would be considered childish if she made a wish when a voice broke her concentration. “Moonlight? Are you awake?”

The unicorn turned over and saw Pearl lying on her side, wide awake. “What are you still doing up?” Pearl winced a little before biting her lip.

“I...I’m scared.”

Moonlight’s eyes widened. It was a rare sight to see Pearl look worried or apprehensive. Pearl was an optimistic Equalist, a true embodiment of the cheer and happiness Equality brings. While the little Glimmers feared shadows and thunder, Pearl simply laughed when terror reared its ugly head. “Pearl, you heard what mom said. Look there, at the skies. They look more beautiful from here than back home.”

Pearl shook her head, not paying attention to the stars. “No, not that. Aren’t...aren’t you worried about what we’re about to do? Not even a little bit?”

A small, serene smile crept across Moonlight’s face. She reached out a hoof and Pearl crawled into her sister’s embrace, shivering slightly from the cold. “What we do,” she whispered tenderly, “Is for the benefit of all ponies. Once they see the beauty of being Equal, the country will start anew. Think of all the friends you’ll make, Pearl. Think of the families we can start. Imagine, thousands of little Glimmers running around, playing in a field…”

Pearl snorted. “Whoa, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here! I’m not even close to kissing a boy! Besides, we’d have to give up our last names if we marry.”

Moonlight lifted an eyebrow. “Who says we have to give up the name Glimmer? Everypony should have the right to keep the names they were born with. Stallions are not in higher position than mares. At least they shouldn’t be.”

“Yeah,” Pearl whispered softly, listening to the chirping of crickets in the distance. Her ears perked up and her mouth opened in a silent gasp when low growling rumbled through the air. Everypony shot up from the ground, kicking up dirt that scattered in the wind.

Ten, no, twelve wolf-like silhouettes surrounded them, their beady red eyes glowing like lanterns, striking them with fear. Buttercup’s chest heaved as she backed up against her family. She felt a familiar pain in her handicapped wing and whimpered. “Stay close!” Starlight yelled over her daughter’s alarmed cries. Her horn began to glow bright blue when it sparked and fizzled into nothing.

“W-what--” She squeezed her eyes shut and grunted. Sparks of blue magic fell from her horn, but nothing more. “Damn it,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m burned out.” It would take her at least ten minutes to recharge again. She took two steps forward and stood in a crouching position in front of her daughters. “Go!” she yelled over her shoulder. “Get out of here!”

The girls stared at her with shock and bewilderment. “N-No!” Sapphire shrieked.

“Mom, come on!” Sunshine yelled.

“I said leave!” Starlight growled as the creatures drew closer. “Moonlight, get them out of here!”

Said mare opened her mouth to shoot out an angry response when Prism interrupted her. “NO! We’re NOT leaving you!” A ball of flame appeared next to Prism, sparking up her magenta eyes. “I say we take ‘em down!” Sapphire shot a lethal beam of ice at one of the creatures while Prism charged forward.

“WAIT! NO!” Starlight screamed as her daughters spread out. “You don’t have enough energy left!” Just as the words left her mouth, a wolf pounced on her, bringing them both to the ground. Starlight shrieked as she used her hooves to keep the creature from coming all the way down as its jaw snapped open and closed.

“MOM!” A gush of water collided with the creature head first, blasting him backwards with a yowl. Starlight gasped and sat up to see Pearl come running up to her in a panic.

“Pearl, darling, never come close to that thing!” Starlight rasped, scrambling to her hooves. “J-Just stay close--”

“HEEEEEEELP!”

Pearl and Starlight gasped as Moonlight tried to fight off two wolves at once. Her force field keeping them at bay flickered dangerously as sweat trickled down her body. Every hit the force field took damaged her even further. “Helpmesomeponypleeeeaaase!”

Starlight’s eyes practically bulged out of her head. “MOONLIGHT!” She began to charge towards her daughter when multiple vines snapped forward and entrapped the wolves in a matter of seconds. Sunshine and Buttercup grunted as they willed the vines to throw the wolves at a large distance. “Are you okay, Moonlight?” Sunshine called.

The force field finally faded away and Moonlight visibly sagged but looked up with a weak smile. “I’m good…” Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she collapsed with a grunt.

Starlight was immediately at her side, placing a hoof against her neck. “M-Moonlight?" A single tear rolled down her cheek. ....Why am I so emotional?

“Get away from my sister, you creeps!” Prism raged, shooting a fireball at a wolf, setting its coat aflame.

“Prism!” Sapphire coated a sheet of ice over the wolf before it burned to a crisp. “Are you trying to kill it?!”

“Aren’t we?” Prism gruffed before running over to help her fallen sibling. “Moonlight!” She screamed, shaking her. “Moonlight!”

****

Spike’s ears perked up. Screams from both pony and beast pierced through the night. He looked down below and saw a pack of wolves attacking a claw full of ponies. One of them seemed to have fallen. Not on MY watch!

Nostrils flared, Spike turned around and swooped down with a mighty roar. He released a burst of green flame, earning shrieks from the wolves...and the mares. “D-D-D-DRAGON!” One of them shrieked.

“That’s not possible!” Another gasped. Half of the girls screamed and ran around in circles while others could only stare at him shock. As Spike flapped around in a grand circle to disperse of the wolves, he could see a pink mare out of the corner of his eye, older than the rest. He felt sudden chills ran down his spine when he caught a glimpse of the mare’s eyes. They were more wild than a beast's.

Before he knew what was happening, a surge of magic clipped his wing, making him gasp in pain. Suddenly, he was spiraling towards the ground in a great ball of fire. Small dark figures from below scattered about, frantically trying to avoid impact.

Spike opened his eyes with a sharp headache and a stinging sensation in his left wing. Spots and stars danced across his vision. He blinked a few times and let out a low moan. When the fog cleared up, he noticed a little unicorn with a pink coat and white mane with a purple streak lying on the ground a few feet away from him. Her eyes fluttered open, dazed.

And then she melted.

No....at least, she looked like she was. As her coat and mane and tail warped and faded like watercolors, Spike began to think he might've hit his head harder than he thought when his breath was suddenly stolen from him.

Now there lay a little unicorn with a lilac coat and an indigo mane and tail with a pink streak.

Her mane was pinned neatly and her cutie mark was but two straight lines...heck, even her wings were gone... but it was her. It was her. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as she stared into his eyes with a near blank expression. The older mare from before appeared behind the girl, glancing at her before focusing back on him with wide eyes. Her lips moved quickly; now he was lying face to face with the pink unicorn again. Spike’s pupils dilated. “T-T-T…”

The older mare disappeared, but he barely noticed. “T...Twilight…”

A sharp blow came in contact with the back of his skull, making the world flash red and black.

*******

“Be careful!” Twilight shouted with a worried little frown.

Spike turned and grinned, cupping his claws around his mouth. “I WILL!” He shouted back. But his voice fell on deaf ears, lost in the high winds. Spike turned and ran as fast as his little legs could carry him as the rain countinued its assault on Ponyville. Eventually, the Friendship Castle came into view, causing him to run faster for shelter.

Spike grunted as he forced the doors of the Castle closed, shutting out the wind and rain. He sighed as he leaned back against the double doors; leaves and puddles of water littered the entrance. The young Dragon groaned in annoyance, knowing he was going to have to clean all this up before Twilight came back. Even one snag on the carpet would drive her mad. He pulled out his checklist he made with Twilight and set it aside on a nearby table and went over to get a broom, mop, and a dustpan. “THIS is gonna be a long night,” he grumbled.

****
Soggy marshmallows floated around the two cups of coca Spike had prepared. The chocolate chips he had also made sat untouched in the middle of the dining room table. Spike’s stomach rumbled, insistant. Spike sighed and patted his belly. “Be patient, tummy. Once she comes back, we can finally eat.” He looked outside the window, regarding the growing storm with slight irritation. “C’mon, Twi,” he moaned. “You know I can’t eat this all by myself. Hurry up already!”

*****
“Ate it all,” Spike sighed, patting his big round stomach with a small belch. “Ugh. Should’nt have done that.” He turned in his bed and looked at his framed picture of Twilight on his dresser. “See what happens when you’re not around to stop me?” He frowned and rolled onto his back. Twilight still hadn’t come back, and it started to worry the little dragon. Just a little bit. Of course, Spike reasoned, she and the others probably took refuge from the storm in one of their houses--and that he was shedding his scales over nothing.

That was probably it.

Spike shivered a little and draped his blanket around himself, eyeing the dark shadows around him warily. Normally, Spike wouldn’t have minded being left alone for the night while Twilight took care of business. In fact, he relished it. But it was different back at the Library. It was nice and cozy and safe there. Being alone in a big empty castle spooked him. Spike’s teeth chattered as he reached for his Rarity plushie.

“If only you were here, my sweet,” he whispered to the doll. “You could tell me all about your fashion shows in Canterlot while I brush your gorgeous mane. And maybe I could show you my...my comic collection…” he yawned, snguggling against his pillow.

“Hoo.”

Spike opened one eye and saw Owlishious perched on top of his lamp, gazing at him from above. “Hoo, hoo.”

Spike yawned again and closed his eye. “At least you’re here, Owlisious,” he mumbled as the owl spread his wings and flew out of the room and into the hall.

*****

“Spike! Spike, wake up! Spike!”

Spike’s eyes popped open, realizing he was being shaken. “Whoa, hey, cut it out!”

He squinted up to see Apple Bloom standing over him. Irritation faded into concern when he got a good look at her face. Something was wrong. “Apple Bloom, what--”

“Have you seen ‘em?” she asked urgently.

“Seen who?”

“Them! My sister and the others! Have you SEEN ‘em!?”

Spike blinked and shook his head in bewilderment. “N-No, not since last night! I…” He looked out into the hallway and saw dozens of ponies walking about with worried expressions. Voices overlapped in confusion and concern, bouncing off the castle walls. “W-What’s everypony doing here?” He looked out the window, squinting at the sunlight. “What TIME is it?”

“It’s late afternoon,” Sweetie Belle squeaked, trotting inside the room along with Scootloo. “Don’t tell me you just woke up!”

“Are you SURE you haven’t seen them?” Apple Bloom persisted, almost desperate.

“Sure I’m sure!” Spike defended, standing upright. “Twilight still didn’t come back? Maybe she’s sleeping over or something.”

Scootaloo shook her head. “We already checked! They weren’t at Rainbow Dash’s, Fluttershy’s cottage, Sugarcube Corner--”
“OR at my sister’s Boutique,” Sweetie cut in with a frown.

“Or at Sweet Apple Acres,” Apple Bloom said, whining slightly. “We looked everywhere! They’re gone!”

Spike’s scales drooped as he glanced back at the framed picture of Twilight. “...Gone?”

****

“We’re all but pawns in a chess game we call life. For years, Equestria has lived in a delusion. A mere false fantasy that society has created.”

Starlight looked upon the small crowd of ponies she had attracted. She shifted in her position on top of an upside down bucket in the streets of Canterlot with her daughters standing below her. A portly earth pony with a grey coat smirked a little. “And what delusion is that?”

Starlight raised her head, looking him in the eye. "Cutie marks are cages, trapping you in an ongoing quest to fulfill your ‘destiny’. Once it appears on our flanks, we can’t help but be fooled by its beauty and try to fulfill whatever it means until death! It’s an endless and pointless cycle!” Murmurs rippled throughout the crowd.

“But cutie marks are an important part of a pony’s life!” a pegasus said from the back. “It’s what makes us all special and unique…” She turned to the side, showing off a needle and thread on her flank. “I am an excellent sewer of costumes for plays and recitals!” She tossed her blonde mane and smiled proudly, eliciting heated looks from some of Starlight’s children. “Doesn’t seem like a cage to me.” Most ponies in the crowd looked at one another and nodded in agreement.

Starlight raised an eyebrow. “And...that’s it? That’s all you’re going to be your entire life? A sewer?”

The pegasus’ smile faltered a little. “W-Well, I--”

“Tell me,” said Starlight, “Before you got your cutie mark, wasn’t there anything else you thought of being? Anything at all?”

“Uh...well…” the mare frowned in thought. “I always thought of being a ballerina when I was a filly.” She stopped before waving a hoof with a smile. “But that was years ago. Sewing is my true talent!”

“Is it?” Prism inquired, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Or did you just think that when it appeared on your flank? I bet you didn’t even think about sewing until you had to patch up a tu tu or something.”

The mare’s eyes widened in shock, and she put a hoof to her mouth. “That’s…” she whispered. “That’s exactly how---”

“That’s such a shame,” Buttercup said sympathetically, walking up to the mare’s side. “Forced to give up everything you ever wanted because your cutie mark told you different.”

Starlight nodded, slowly clicking her tongue. “It is a shame,” she said as the mare’s ears drooped. “And why do we hold cutie marks in such high regard? Why are they so important in our lives?”

A blanket of silence fell over the crowd. “...Because Princess Celestia said so,” piped up a young unicorn. Pearl stifled a giggle whille the corners of Moonlight’s mouth lifted. Truly, it was embarrassing.

Starlight released a chuckle. “Because Celestia said so. Hmm. And if Celestia were to tell you to jump off a cliff, the sea ponies would have a life supply of food.”

“The Princess is a wise and caring pony!” shouted a voice. More ponies had gathered in interest.

“A pony who lives in a castle with a crown on her head and lets her faithful subjects suffer the harsh economy, forcing them to work their way up the food chain! The only reason why you’ve always looked up to her and her sister is because you’re afraid of them!”

The crowd bustled. “That’s not true!” An middle-aged mare said, holding her grandfilly close. “We have nothing to fear...The Princesses are gracious and caring!”

“They’re manipulative and oppressive,” Starlight countered. “And could overpower and imprison any one of us without batting an eye. If Celestia would banish her own flesh and blood to the moon for a thousand years, what’s to say she won’t do even worse to any of us!”

Quiet murmurs and gasps of worry filled the air.

“And if she loves and cares for all of her little ponies, how come she can’t protect you from the constant monster attacks? The invasions, the escaped creatures from the gates of Tartarus, the traumatic stress forced upon you and your little ones! How long must we live like this? How long?”

Voices from the crowd began to rise in agreement. Starlight stomped her hoof on the bucket, making it vibrate. “Something must be done! This country needs a change! We will not be forced into a false identity or be fooled by an old mare sitting on top of a mountain looking down on us!”

“Yeah!”

“She’s got a point, y’know.”

“A new Equestria!”

Starlight grinned as she looked over dozens of ponies rallying in the streets. “Come and see us in front of the Castle gates at noon sharp! There is something I think you should all see.”

******
“I’m so excited!” Pearl grinned as they strolled through Canterlot. “That’s the best it ever went! Don’t you think?”

“Yes, my starling,” Starlight nodded with a serene smile. “Nothing brings me greater pleasure than to see ponies' eyes opened to the very first time.”

Near the back of the group, Sunshine looked around and leaned close. “How are you holding up? You feel alright?”

“For the millionth time, I’m fine,” Moonlight said, rolling her eyes. “The healing spell worked great. Seriously, I’m the one who should be worrying about you guys, not the other way around!”

Sunshine nudged her side. “You know that’s not true.” After awhile, she added, “Don’t you think it’s weird? How...how that Dragon looked at you like that?”

Moonlight shook her head slowly. “I was disoriented at the time. I barely remember it.”

“I heard it call you ‘Twilight’,” Buttercup whispered, falling in step with them.

“He was probably out of it too,” Moonlight dismissed. “...I hope he’s alright,” she said after a pause.

Buttercup shivered. “Hopefully we’ll never see him again….”

“Where are we sleeping tonight?” Prism asked Starlight. Before Starlight could open her mouth, another voice answered her.

“I’d be happy to help you with that.” A mare with spectacles appeared with a smile. “You’re the mare that spoke earlier, aren’t you? I must say, I...I was deeply touched by it. Years ago, my niece suffered deeply because of her cutie mark. No one really knew what it meant, not even her. It drove her to bullying other kids at school who didn’t have their cutie marks yet.” The mare frowned sadly. “She was in such a dark place for years. Her mother...my sister never understood her, or even tried very hard to. It makes a pony question things, you know?”

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Starlight said sincerely, clasping hooves with the mare. “Miss…?”

“Bountiful. Bountiful Rich.”

“How is your niece now, Miss Rich?” Sapphire asked.

“Oh, she’s doing splendid, my dear. I heard she was elected mayor of her hometown last year.” She turned back to Starlight. “I’m a Hotel Manager here; if you don’t mind, I’d like to treat you all to a room to spend the night in. Free of charge! I insist.”

Starlight smiled and kissed Bountiful’s cheek. “You are too magnanimous, my friend.”

The Next Day…

More than a hundred ponies had gathered in front of The Canterlot Castle gates with Starlight standing on a large wooden block in the middle of it. The unicorn raised her voice above the cheers. “Too long have cutie marks controlled our lives! Too long have we lived in Celestia’s lies and deceit!” The crowd stomped their hooves on the cobbled stone, sending tremors through the ground.

“Too long have the Princesses discriminated against us! Would we be less protected if the Royal guard didn’t only consist of male unicorns and pegasi?” Buttercup covered her ears as the crowds roared.

“What she does is for our own good!” said one pony. “She’d never mean us any harm!”

Starlight only grinned. “Oh?” She gestured to her daughters and beckoned them to come stand with her. “If your Princess is so honest...and trustworthy… how do you explain this!?”

Sunshine and Buttercup commanded several vines to spring up from the concrete while Pearl materialized bubbles of water out of thin air. Prism conjured up a ball of fire, and shot it over several ponies’ heads.

Gasps and screams of shock filled the air. Some fainted, while others cowered before the miraculous sight. “T-That can’t be!” somepony cried out. “They’re earth ponies...and those are mere pegasi! They can’t do magic like a unicorn can!”

Starlight smirked and pulled something out of her saddle bag. “Can’t they?” With her magic, she held out a thick and aged book for all to see. “THIS was once Star Swirl the Bearded’s!” she shouted. “This book and many others contain spells that give equal power to unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies alike! Books that your ruler has kept from you for thousands of years!”

Outrage sparked throughout the crowd, their shouts and yells grabbing the attention of passerby's. A few Guards flew over the mass mob forming in front of the Castle.

“I call for truth! I call for justice! I call for EQUALITY!”

Deafening roars and cheers exploded throughout the mob, their hoof stomps thundering through the city. One of the Celestial guards turned to the other. “Alert the Princess. Now!”

Author's Note

All is according to plan :pinkiecrazy: I meant to get this out last week, but I had a test to study for. It's my Spring Break now, so I'm working on the next chapter as we speak, but I also have assignments due, so we'll see how fast it's actually updated :facehoof:

Please let me know if you have questions and concerns! I also got a wee bit emotional writing Spike :raritydespair: WHY MUST STARLIGHT DO THIS????