Our Town

A cold breeze entered from the window. Starlight curled up tighter, but it didn't help.

Throwing the blanket off of her, Starlight pushed upwards from the bed. She let out a huff as she pulled the window down. Starlight walked back to the bed.

She looked around. A small wooden room housed her. There was a tiny cot with a thin, purple blanket. One window next to the bed with white curtains. One bookshelf. Starlight turned off of her path back to the cot and towards the shelf. She pulled off a couple of books, and they all were rule books.

Starlight climbed under the blanket. This place is so nice, she thought. How did I get here?

A bit of shock took over her body. Slowly, she removed the blanket off of her head, peering around the room.

Once again, she hopped off. But this time, she headed towards the door.

Starlight pressed her ear against the wooden door. She couldn't hear anything.

She pushed the door open hesitantly, but it didn't budge.

Starlight's heart began beating faster. Again and again, she pushed on the door. A whimper escaped her throat.

It was no use. She sat down. She was incredibly nervous.

All of the sudden, the door pushed open. An orange colt emerged. He smiled. "Good morning," he said.

Starlight opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. The colt cocked his head.

"Come down for breakfast, but you must hurry."

Starlight did not move for a second. She did not know the colt. She did not trust him.

But he smiled once more, and she felt safe.

The kitchen was about as big as the room Starlight had woken up in.

Two unicorns, one male and one female were sitting at a tiny table in the center of the kitchen. Starlight guessed they were the colt's parents. When she looked around the rest of the house, she saw that there wasn't much else to see: one bedroom and one reading room.

The unicorns smiled when they looked at Starlight. "You have finally awoken!" the stallion said.

Starlight said nothing. The mare wrapped Starlight in her magic and set her on the table. "Turn around for me," she said.

Starlight obeyed. The mare's smile widened. "Oh my. You are too precious. And you do have your cutie mark!"

The colt hopped up in the other chair. "We should introduce ourselves, Mother." He cleared his throat. "My name is Sunburst. These are my parents, Bright Charm and Shining Cloud."

Shining Cloud turned Starlight towards him. "And what's your name, little filly?"

Starlight gulped. "Starlight Glimmer." She hopped into a chair.

"I'm surprised she remembers," Bright said. She faced Starlight. "We found you out in the snow. We knew we mustn't hide you here, but our hearts told us that we couldn't leave you out there to die, all alone."

"Why mustn't you hide me?" Starlight asked.

"Celestia is having a cold period," Shining said. "This happens when she is sad and alone, cold you might say. The weather reflects that, as you can see. But, her mood also affects her mind. She made the decision of expanding Equestria one hundred fold, and Equestria was already incredibly large. Ponies from all across the world were taken control of by dictators, appointed by Celestia." He sighed. "The Commander here, he hates outsiders. He treats them like they are scum. Nopony deserves that. Most of us are afraid that things will not change. Or worse, she will declare war if the countries she is taken do not surrender. We cannot afford a war."

Sunburst shivered. "It is so cold."

Starlight shifted awkwardly. "I mustn't stay here. I am too much trouble, and I wouldn't want you to---"

"Nonsense," Bright said. "We are doing what anypony would do."

"If you don't mind me asking," Starlight said quietly. "Who is Celestia?"

They laughed. A knock on the door cut the laughter short. Whispering, Shining said, "Sunburst will be teaching you everything that he learns in his lessons every night when the last patrols have gone. It is time for morning inspection, so you must go upstairs and be incredibly quiet. Do you understand?"

Starlight nodded, and began tiptoeing back to her room.

From her window, Starlight could see many things. Many ponies had gathered in a line and shivered while their houses were inspected. Starlight could hear Sunburst, Shining, and Bright making conversation as Starlight guessed they did regularly, though she heard no responses from the soldiers.

Starlight held her breath. The day went by very slowly. Finally, it got dark and Sunburst came into the room.

He plopped down on the floor and spread out a couple of books. "You can move around and talk now, you know. The soldiers are gone."

Starlight sat across from him. "What is all this?"

"I'm going to teach you about all that you have missed," he said. Sunburst looked at her for a moment. "You would say that you are about my age, no?"

"Er, yes. I'd think so."

Sunburst turned to a page with an illustration on it. It depicted a white alicorn with a pastel pink mane. "She's beautiful," Starlight said.

"Yes," Sunburst agreed. "That's Celestia. She is our Princess. Our ruler. She has been the Ruler of our great land, Equestria, for all of time. As my father told you, she and her family have ruled all worlds since...forever. At least, that's what ponies think. Anyway, she is in a cold period, causing the weather and the new secondary leadership. This has been going on for..." He flipped through the pages. "Forty one years. My parents were born at the beginning of this age, and I'm only seven."

"What did you learn in your lessons today?" Starlight asked.

"Um..." Sunburst thought for a moment. "Nopony in this Neigh-borhood goes to the lessons on inspection days. And lately it has been too cold to go anyway. I just thought I should teach you this. Just in case."

Sunburst gathered his books. "Goodnight, Starlight."

Starlight went through her days for the next couple of months as usual. The inspectors came once every week. Starlight read the rule books quietly as she waited for night.

She became more nervous every day. Sunburst came up to the attic every evening to bring her supper, and Starlight asked how much longer she would have to stay up there.

Sunburst thought for a moment. "I can't say, Starlight. I'd assume just as long as Celestia is in having her cold period. We're really sorry, but we can't let you leave." Starlight nodded.

The inspectors came. They found her.

Starlight bit at her tongue and screamed at herself for not being careful enough. She was pushed into the long line of ponies, between Sunburst and his mother.

Sunburst shivered. “I am so sorry,” Starlight said. “You will all be punished because of me.”

“I does not matter now,” he said. They did not speak for the rest of the inspection.

A tall, burly stallion inspected Starlight. She shook with cold and fear. “What is wrong with you?” the colt asked.

“N-N-Nothing.”

The stallion looked to his major, and then back at Sunburst’s family and Starlight. “Why don’t you folks come with us,” the major told them, and then the other stallion began shoving them into Town Hall.

They all sat down at a big table in one the library. Nopony said anything for a moment. Finally, the commander asked, “How long has she been in hiding?”

“A little over a year,” Shining said. Has it really been that long? Starlight wondered.

The commander nodded. “She will stay here, with us, until further notice. Understood?”

Sunburst and his parents nodded quickly. Starlight did nothing.

They were pushed away, leaving Starlight all alone in Town Square with the commander and his regiment. They asked her lots of questions. Most, like “Where are you from?” and “How did you get here?”, she said, “I do not know. Honestly.”

Starlight slept on the ground. She had a difficult time falling asleep, though, since they gave her no pillow or blanket.

Starlight thought she was nervous when she was being inspected the first time, but her legs wobbled like gelatin when Major Blizzard told her that Princess Celestia would be visiting her. “Me?” Starlight asked.

“Yes, you. You know, we had planned on executing or banishing you and that family for treason. But when we reported the discovery of you, the Princess became intrigued,” Blizzard said. He said it in a way as if murder was nothing to him.

Starlight was surprised as well. “What for?”

“We don’t know. That’s why she is coming here, to talk to you.”

The Princess arrived soon enough. Everypony, including Starlight, lined up in their usual places and bowed down.

Starlight did not think that the Princess was healthy. She looked tired, to say the least. Her foal-pink mane and tail were cold and dim, and bags and dark circles resided beneath her eyes. She did not smile.

When Princess Celestia got to Starlight, she said, “So, you are Starlight Gimmer.”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

“Come.”

Starlight, Celestia, Major Blizzard, Sunburst, Bright, and Shining sat at the table again. Silence covered the room.

Celestia was the first to speak. “I am impressed.”

“What?” Bright asked.

“You were able to keep Starlight hidden for over a year, no?”

“Yes, your Majesty,” Shining said quickly.

“It surprises me. Never would I, or anyone I know of, would believe it could be done. You are all...special.”

“Thank you, your Majesty,” Shining said.

“That is why I have decided to let you live. You are the first to do such a terrible, disgraceful thing.” She chuckled. “So I shall reward you. Not only will you live, but Starlight shall join the Celestial Alliance.”

Starlight was awestruck. “When?”

“Right now. You will be the newest Private, to be trained by Major Blizzard.” Blizzard said nothing.

Bright spoke up. “Bless you, Celestia. You do not know how much this means to us.”

Celestia smiled. “You are welcome. But do not get too comfortable. And do not call me Celestia.”

Dinner that evening was quiet. More so than usual.

“This is my last night here,” Starlight said. “Then I will be off hurting ponies and ruining Equestria.”

“Do not think of it that way.” Shining’s tone was sharp. “You are still alive, and we should all be grateful.”

“I don’t want to live in this terrible world!” Sunburst said. “What must we do to end the suffering?”

Nopony said anything.

“You will do everything I tell you to do, no matter the task.” Major Blizzard paced around Starlight. “Let’s not forget your crimes to the Celestial Alliance. You are a traitor. You don’t deserve anything. You definitely won’t be gettin’ special treatment. I have a hundred other Privates to look over. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.” Starlight tried to stand tall.

“Good. The first thing you gotta know is that these ponies are worthless. I don’t know what Shining and Bright taught you, but these ponies out here, they don’t have anything to live for. Before a couple years ago, they didn’t even worship Celestia. They’re worthless, I tell you. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“They don’t get special treatment either. You gotta whip ‘em, you gotta hurt ‘em, you gotta separate their families so they know it. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now get outta here.”

Starlight moved up in the ranks faster than any other Private Celestia had ever seen. Starlight was tough, she was mean, and she loved the Celestial Alliance.

It had been a few days since Starlight had been promoted to Sergeant, and a few years since first becoming a Private.

Only a week ago, Sunburst had told her that he was accepted into Celestia’s school for Gifted Unicorns. “Princess Celestia said something about...apologizing, I believe,” he said. "Besides, my sister went to the school when we were very young. I am excited to see her again." Starlight begged him not to go, but it was no use.

Starlight loved her job. She loved the control, the power. Starlight could do whatever she wanted to whoever she wanted.

Starlight still felt compassion towards Sunburst, Bright, and Shining, however. She hardly spoke with them, but she hadn’t hurt them or separated them, and Starlight believed that that was enough.

Starlight strolled into Town Hall one morning, when Private Prize said, “Sergeant Glimmer?”

“What is it, Prize?”

“Blizzard passed away this morning.”

Starlight whirled around to face him. “What? He wasn’t even that old!”

Prize nodded. “He was worn out. Celestia sent a message, saying that you should be promoted to Neigh-borhood head Major.”

A grain stretched across Starlight’s face. “I can’t believe it. Me, a major? It’s too good to be true.”

Private Jade spoke up. “We are in a mourning state as of now. Sergeant Terra said we should wait until tomorrow for inspection, for vigil.”

Starlight raised an eyebrow. “You’re joking, right?”

“No, ma’am.” He and the other Privates shook their heads.

“Well, it sounds to me like you want to disrespect Princess Celestia and take away my special privilege. Is that how it is, Privates?”

“No, ma’am,” they quickly stuttered.

“Then get to work!”

“I’m so sorry ma’am, but your son...just look at him.”

The mare held her foal closer to her. “He is sick! It’s not his fault!”

The mare’s husband stepped closer to Starlight. “You can’t just take him! Who do you think you are, anyway? You’re just a Major of some lowly Neigh-borhood. You can’t go all power crazy and just start taking away a foal every week!”

Starlight smiled. “Oh, yes I can.”

The stallion growled. “This is our town, Starlight! Not yours!”

Starlight’s brow furrowed as she repeated the words. “Our town…” She looked back to the family. “Give him to me.”

“No,” they both said again.

Starlight snatched the colt. “Fine, off to camp with you.”

Starlight watched them be dragged off with horrified looks on their faces. “You’re a monster!” the mare screamed. “A monster!”

The ponies lined up close to them watched in horror. Starlight thought nothing of being called a “monster” or sending off parents or children to “camp” every few weeks. I am a Major now, she thought. I must make sacrifices.

Or at least, that’s what Starlight thought.

Celestia paid her a surprise visit after that. Usually Starlight sent a letter telling her the results of the inspection, but Celestia arrived and seemed upset.

“Your Majesty!” Starlight bowed. “You seem well.” Too well, Starlight thought.

“Yes, I do feel pretty well. I believe I am getting out of my Cold Period,” the Princess said.

Starlight did not respond for a moment. “Oh...That’s wonderful.”

“Starlight, have you been separating families?”

Starlight was hesitant. “Yes.”

Celestia looked disappointed. “And you have been sending ponies to our death camps.”

“As...as Major, I thought I was authorized---”

Celestia shook her head. “No, no Starlight.”

“What?”

“I said only ponies of supreme rank were authorized, but, Starlight...I am out of my Cold Period.” Celestia placed her head into her hooves. “I cannot believe the things that I have done. I have killed, banished, abused…This is all wrong. I am returning the countries I have stolen. I am stripping you, and many others, of your title.” She sighed. “Starlight, as of now, you are a citizen of a Neigh-borhood outside of Equestria.”

“No! No, Celestia, please! Take everything I have, but keep this Neigh-borhood in Equestria! It would mean so much to m...these ponies. Please,” Starlight pleaded.

Celestia sighed again. “Okay, Starlight. But don’t think I will be caring about this Neigh-borhood.”

Starlight was finally a leader. She had Our Town under her control. She was prepared to tell everypony.

“Citizens of Our Town!” Starlight’s voice flew over the crowd. “Princess Celestia has promised to keep Our Town within Equestrian borders, but she has left it under my control.”

“Boos” came from everywhere in the crowd. “She actually said that?” a voice asked.

“Silence!” Starlight growled. “You all are to listen to me now. To do what I say.”

Starlight strolled through the Town Hall library. There weren’t too many books (and they were only rule books), and a couple scrolls. Starlight had re-read them a couple times, but the scrolls caught her interest.

She picked up the scroll in the back. Was this here before? Starlight wondered.

Starlight read the scroll. Some sort of spell.

Without thinking, she cast it. A ribbon of green magic swirled around her. Suddenly, Starlight felt a surge of power. Wow, this is amazing. I feel like...I need to take something.

“Our Town, lend me your ears!” Ponies came out of their homes once again to listen to Starlight. “I have decided that I would change my style of leadership.” Starlight sighed as she remembered the haunting image of Sunburst leaving her. She levitated a staff made of two sticks wrapped together. “This is my Equalizer,” she said.

A murmur of confusion came from the ponies, but Starlight continued. “As of now, Princess Celestia is out of her cold period.” Some ponies cheered. “I, and many others, have caused you suffering. But no longer! No longer shall we discriminate against different ponies. No longer shall we suffer because of where we come from, our history, our…” She paused, and then hissed, “powers.”

Silence. Starlight finished. “I have been given the great honor of Equalizing you all. From now on, we shall all be equals. There will be no differences, so no more fights, wars, or pain.”

Starlight closed her eyes. With all of her energy, she used the spell to grab everypony’s cutie marks, all at once. Starlight could hear shouts of pain and fear, but she held on tight.

The cutie marks were gone, now. They flew off to the mountains.

Starlight smiled upon Her Town, and hundreds of smiling faces looked back.