Legends from the Dark Side of the Mirror

The figure continued on down the hallway, arriving at the stained glass window dedicated to Starlight Glimmer, the Bringer of Equality.

“There are many things that make us special and unique...but sometimes we fail to see how strong they make us. And become jealous of others. However, sometimes what we need is another to recognize and show us who we really are, and what we’re really capable of. Sometimes, we need to realize that everyone needs help, and there’s nothing wrong with that. To remind us that we truly are all equal if we just accept that, both of others and of ourselves...as believing either is incorrect can lead to dark places.”

“This is the subject of our next story. Care to listen?”

Starlight Glimmer simply sat back as Gilda informed Rainbow Crash...no, Rainbow Dash, that her lifelong tormentor had been defeated and she was finally free. Gilda had spoken at length about Spitfire and what she’d done (and certainly some of the residents of Our Town had problems Spitfire had caused, one in particular)...but seeing how broken the poor girl was first hoof. What a waste of potential Spitfire had left in her wake. Not just her own, but everyone who that bully had trampled and crushed to secure her own glory. Spitfire was the kind of creature that Starlight pitied most of all: the sort who were so caught up in their own lack of faith in their own abilities they had to drag others down to feel good about themselves.

As the two friends had their moment, Starlight took the opportunity to look around the whole group...seeing the potential they’d all squandered until now, but were on the road to potentially reaching it now. She was going to find whoever was responsible for Twilight’s treatment and give them a piece of her mind. Still, knowing things would improve from here made her smile. She almost stepped forwards to provide her own commentary...but Chrysalis gave her a small look. Starlight hesitantly stepped back.

“Right...They’ve all got someone who understands their problems, best let it play out...” Starlight said to herself with a slightly disappointed, but understanding, tone.

When the whole situation finally settled down (a lengthy period, given it had entailed a power mad corrupted Alicorn nearly destroying the city, several profound realizations, and numerous other small details), Starlight finally approached the pony she was truly there to help.. “Rainbow?”

“Y-Yeah?” the pegasus asked, looking over, still trembling a bit.

“You were amazing,” Starlight said with an encouraging smile. “You broke the sound barrier, I’ve never seen anyone do anything like that before. You really do have a lot of potential.”

Rainbow Dash...looked like she couldn’t process the words being spoken to her. Starlight noticed that despite her tormentor’s defeat, there was still clear fear in the mare’s eyes, but of what she couldn’t tell. And there was something else. Something almost...lost. “I’m...it was nothing...I...I just wanted to help.”

“Well, you definitely did. You did well,” the Bringer of Equality replied sincerely. The cyan pegasus looked at Starlight almost like she’d spoken a different language. “I know you are unused to feeling like it, but I’m being honest. My invitation to Our Town is still in effect...though I understand if you want to stay here with your friends.”

Rainbow looked back and forth between Starlight and her recovering friends, who were all having their own conversations with those they’d bonded to.

“Go on, Rainbow.”

Except one.

“F-Fluttershy?” asked the cyan pegasus as her friend flew over.

Fluttershy looked...uncertain. Almost as lost as out of her element as Rainbow. “I...I’m...What I’m trying to say is…” The pegasus took a deep breath. “...I mean, it will finally make all those mismatched envelopes Rarity bought actually worth a darn…”

Starlight noticed a look go between Captain Goodguy and the pegasus. The Draconequus motioned with his hand, but gave an encouraging smile.

“...We’ll be fine, Rainbow...Your problems...are all of our problem...You need help. Just go get it it already, okay?” Fluttershy asked, trying to sound as aloof as possible.

Gilda stared wide eyed and slack jawed for a few moments. “Fluttershy…”

“Don’t get used to it,” the cream-colored pegasus replied, averting her eyes with a small blush.

“As I said,” Starlight replied. “It’s up to you, Rainbow.” She then looked to Fluttershy. “You can come if you want to.”

Fluttershy scoffed. “Nah, I don’t think I will…” she said, her eyes looking to Goodguy. “...I have dinner plans...but if you want to go, Rainbow...go.” Goodguy gave her a ‘go on’ gesture. “...Go show that stuck up bully why she was afraid of you to begin with...anyway, I’ll try to get everypony to unbanish you while you’re gone.”

Starlight had kept talking to Rainbow Dash on the entire train ride over (after a goodbye with her friends), and gathered a few things about her newest student. It soon became apparent that, for all their problems, it was very likely the other five had been the only thing that had kept her sane. Even if they’d been somewhat abusive themselves, given their various backgrounds, they would likely all benefit from a psychologist more than anything. She hoped they’d all get help, and she’d do the best she could to ensure they did.

‘As will my friends,’ Starlight corrected herself mentally.

Maybe these six could be far better for each other by the time Rainbow returned.

However, there was something more troubling.

“Rainbow D-” Starlight started, before seeing the eyes of the pegasus widen. “Rainbow, don’t worry, Our Town is going to be a safe place. It’s full of ponies like you who need help.”

“I...I hope so…” said Rainbow Dash, calming down.

‘She’s internalized Spitfire’s abuse enough Gilda’s probably the only one who can get away with calling her her real name...that will make this particularly difficult,’ the Bringer of Equality thought. She’d had such ponies before, but never one this advanced...never one this broken. Spitfire was looking at life in prison (very likely multiple consecutive life sentences), and she deserved it from what she’d done to Rainbow Dash alone in Starlight’s book. Starlight swore to track down as many people whose lives were ruined by that mare and help them as she could…

‘With help, of course,’ Starlight added in her own head, shifting her hooves a bit.

However, the unicorn noticed something else. Gilda always talked about Rainbow overcompensating for her inferiority complex, trying desperately to convince herself she was a help to others and was anything but quiet...except now if Starlight didn’t talk to her, she was barely speaking.

“Rainbow, at Canterlot,” Starlight said firmly, but kindly. “You really were a help. Never forget that.”

“I...I really was?” the cyan pegasus replied, trembling a little bit.

“Yes, you were. You helped get through to Twilight. That was something only you and your friends could’ve done. It distracted her long enough for everyone else to get to Princess Trixie and purify her. Without you, Nightmare Spotlight might have won,” Starlight reassured. “You helped everyone.”

Rainbow Dash didn’t respond for several moments, tears starting in her eyes. “I...I helped everyone?”

Starlight took stock of how...confused Rainbow looked. Her face cycling through so many different emotions. “Yes, you did.” She pulled Rainbow into a hug, and after a few moments, Rainbow slowly returned it. At least Rainbow trusted her, that was an important step.

The train began to slow as they started pulling into the last station between here and Our Town. “Come on, Rainbow, let’s go.”

Our Town was, by very design, a remote and distant place. It had to be to ensure those who had been tormented, like Starlight’s current company, could have sanctuary where no one would hurt them as they found who they are and what they could truly do. As such, it was quite the walk there from the train station, giving Starlight a chance to analyze how her latest pupil carried herself. She was holding herself in a submissive state, but kept changing how she stood. How she carried herself. Almost as if she couldn’t decide...or didn’t know how. This wasn’t how Gilda had described her, not at all.

“And here we are, Our Town!” Starlight announced, pointing her hoof out as they came over the last peak overlooking town. The hero admitted, she got some enjoyment out of Rainbow Dash’s wide-eyed awe.

Spread out before them was a town shaped like an equal sign, but that was only the surface. Each house composing it was unique, built as a testimony to the talents of the one who lived within it. To help them both celebrate that talent and practice and hone it more. One was essentially a miniature mountain with ski slopes expertly placed around them benefiting of a professional. Another was a well designed balloon house, almost like it was crafted by an architect. A third was a professionally made bakery, while a fourth was...more simple, humble dwelling, though with a star theme around it. And countless others all unique in their designs.

“Wow...it’s…” Rainbow Dash stuttered. “You live here?”

“Yes, with all of my friends,” Starlight replied confidently. “Come on, I’ll show you.” Her horn igniting, Starlight encased herself in her magic aura and floated into the air. She carefully offered Rainbow Dash a hoof with a friendly smile. Encouragement to use one’s talent casually was often a good place to start.

The pegasus looked conflicted for a moment before gingerly taking her hoof and flying up to join her.

Little Starlight sat in her friend’s living room, her and Sunburst stacking books higher and higher, imagining it was a tower slowly being built and reaching towards the sky. Children’s games were all about imagination, after all. As they both carefully examined the structure they’d pieced together, the little unicorn filly noticed a book out of place and carefully grabbed it in her magic. She slowly pulled, intending to put it back in a far more fitting location...only to realize too late how much of the load it was supporting.

Starlight’s eyes went wide and she cringed back, covering her face as the tower of books toppled over directly at her. She waited for the impact...and waited...and waited. She opened her eyes, finding the books held in a golden aura. Eyes wide, she looked over to see the source of the glow. The horn of the young, orange furred Unicorn that was her best friend glowed bright. He didn’t seem entirely conscious of what was happening, even as he floated into the air in his own telekinesis’s grip, the books beginning to orbit him then place themselves neatly back on the shelves around them. A spark of light emerged on his flank, and when it faded, there was the mark of a sun shining in one direction with turquoise sparkles on the other.

Sunburst noticed her staring in blind shock and followed her gaze, seeing the new mark on his flank. They stared for a moment, then to each other...then Sunburst gave a gleeful whinny and galloped out the door to his parents. She watched them and the surrounding ponies celebrate, all gathering around the colt who had earned his Cutie Mark...and dashing off...not looking at her.

Starlight stared for a moment...he...he hadn’t even said goodbye to her...he’d rushed out without a word. Part of her wanted to rush back in and cry...to take this personally...to maybe resent that…

But another part acknowledged he’d just been excited...overjoyed. Wouldn’t she be? Shouldn’t she be happy for him?

Two conflicting ideas. A choice to make…

She chose to run towards the crowd and join in the celebration.

Starlight made sure to keep Rainbow Dash from tripping herself up while they headed to the town proper. She observed closely, trying to gauge exactly how much and what she needed to work on. She wasn’t entirely happy with what she saw and just how many times she had to keep Rainbow from subconsciously making herself crash.

“How did you build all this without...you know,” Rainbow asked, keeping her submissive posture.

“Well, for starters, we’re extremely remote,” Starlight explained, proudly pointing a hoof around. “Far too out of the way for anyone to just happen upon. Secondly, only me and my most trusted allies know how to get here. And lastly, when you have as many powerful magic users as we do, you find ways to get around detection,” she explained, giving a proud smile. Not overly egotistical, but more an assured confidence. The kind she always desired to teach her students. “Now then, I suppose it’s time I introduce you,” she said, giving a smile and whistling, using a sound boosting spell to ensure everyone heard her.

The town heard her listened and gradually filed in around them, each at their own pace. Each walking in their own posture, but together as one. Most of them chattering to their friends about the new arrival, or just glad to see one another as they came together to greet the newest member of their community.

Starlight cleared her throats. “Good morning, everypony! We have a new pony who’s come to our growing community!” she announced, putting authority and charisma behind it. “This is…” The unicorn stopped for a moment, debating on if she should introduce Rainbow Dash by her real name. She didn’t want to encourage her internalizing Spitfire’s abuse any further than the poor thing already had, but the entire community suddenly calling her by her real name might be too much for her. Starlight decided to split the difference. “For now, let’s just call her Rainbow.”

Rainbow seemed to cringe reflexively as the ponies gathered around, all giving words of greeting and support. She transitioned from recoiling to confusion, then finally dawning comprehension. Probably for the first time in the mare’s life, she was surrounded by nothing but people who were supportive of her. She slowly smiled, but it seemed to flicker back and forth between genuine and forced.

“Rainbow had the misfortune of suffering...certain events many pegasi here are likely well aware of,” Starlight explained. She noticed one mare in particular give a look of recognition. “Please let her know she’s welcome!”

Rainbow gave a surprised jump as started approaching to introduce themselves. “O-Oh. H-Hi! Nice to meet you!”

Despite her energetic way of speaking returning, Starlight could tell from her posture and mannerisms she was still being submissive. Externally Rainbow tried to project an air of confidence, but she couldn’t control her body language as easily as she could what she said. Or next to at all right now. Closer to Gilda’s reports, but still noticeably off.

“Alright, let me introduce you to my fellow instructors,” Starlight stated.

“You mean you’re not the leader?” Rainbow asked, cocking her head.

The unicorn chuckled. “Not quite. I am the primus inter pares, that is first among equals. I’m the most experienced and senior member of our little town, but we’re all equal here. I have no more actual authority than anyone else, my talent is merely to help bring out the talents of those around me. And I want to do that for the most possible creatures I can. Once someone graduates, they are welcome to either remain her and become an instructor, or leave and take their talents to do whatever they like elsewhere. “Starlight then cleared her throat. “This is Double Diamond.”

The white furred and haired Earth Pony, Cutie Mark a trio of blue snowflakes, looked a bit nervous and cautious, but somewhat serious. “Hello there. I’m the safety advisor, so if you’re ever feeling unsafe, just let me know,” he said, in an analytical, but caring fashion. “Oh, and if you’re into sports, stop by. Helping with athletic Cutie Marks is my department.”

Starlight nodded. “And this is Party Favor.”

The light blue unicorn with a dark blue mane and tail with a pink party favor Cutie Mark nodded with a serious expression, but after noticing Rainbow’s demeanor, loosened up a small bit. “Hello, Miss Rainbow. I am the organizer and administrator. If you don’t mind, please stop by later to tell me your likes and dislikes so I can tailor your welcome party properly. And if your talent lies in parties or organization, please look me up.”

“And this is Sugar Belle,” the Bringer of Equality introduced.

The Earth Pony in question was pink furred, with a dark purple mane and tail, her Cutie Mark a cupcake. She had her hair in a hairnet and was generally trying to be serious, but her smile just kept sneaking in a little bit. Starlight was actually happy about that, it showed she was still an individual who enjoyed her craft. “Hello, I’m the town nutritional expert. I admit, my stuff might be a bit bland and boring, but if you’re not healthy, it’s definitely going to help with that. If you need anything when it comes to a cooking relating talent, just ask. I’ve got a few instructors with me who can handle the other aspects of it.”

Starlight made a mental note to take Sugar Belle with her to Canterlot next time. While the Bringer of Equality would’ve liked to do it herself, she admitted Sugar Belle was probably the best suited for getting through to Pinkamena if anyone could. Starlight turned her attention to the final, and likely best for the situation, instructor. “And finally, this is Night Glider.”

The dark blue pegasus with a white mane and tail, Cutie Mark an eclipsing sun with features swirling around it, stepped forwards. She looked at Rainbow with sympathy, almost having a motherly air to her...but in some ways sharing the same nervousness clear in Rainbow. Starlight saw a bit of recognition in her face. “Hello, Rainbow. I’m the camp flight instructor...and can we talk in private after the meet and greet is finished?”

As Rainbow Dash was introduced to the rest of the town, Starlight watched with a smile...but gradually got a strange feeling. That strange feeling that made the hair on the back of your fur stand on end. She turned, looking around...but saw no one. As she slowly turned back, a robed figure peaked out from behind a tree, watching her at a distance.

“Alright, Night Glider, the floor is yours,” Starlight said, back in the mare’s cabin. As she stepped back, she couldn’t help being a little hesitant, almost having to tear herself away.

Night Glider, a little nervous, nodded. “Rainbow...we never knew each other, not really...but I was in Cloudsdale. We went to flight school together…she never had me in her sights like she did you...I never saw more than glimpses of how she treated you…” The mare gave a kind, motherly smile. “But I know how much she beat down anyone who could actually challenge her. I know what it was like...like when she destroyed our home…”

Rainbow gave a gasp of surprise, trembling slightly and tensing up. “Oh...well...I…”

Starlight looked over. “Rainbow, calm down...remember, Gilda put her behind bars. She can never hurt you or anyone else ever again.”

Rainbow’s breathing steadied, at least a little bit. “R-Right…”

“I know what it’s like to be beaten down...feeling like if you ever try to stand out, it will somehow bring her down on you,” Night Glider continued. “Not as bad, not by a long shot...but I know...That’s why I’m here. I suppressed my Cutie Mark and my talent. Starlight found me. She brought me in, brought me here...and taught me to not let her rule me anymore.”

Starlight remembered. Night Glider had been just trying to be beneath notice, doing small time jobs just to make by...but her talent was in athleticism, denying and covering it up was only making her miserable. She had more than enough talent to be an athlete or, as she was now, an instructor, though now that things were safer she might give the former a shot. Spitfire had had a bad impact on so many, but Starlight believed the only reason she would’ve acted like this would be if she lacked faith in her own abilities.

The Pegasus stepped forwards and carefully put a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder, causing her to jerk involuntarily...but slowly calm down a bit. “I know you had it a lot worse than me, but trust me: we’re here to help you. It can get better. And even if Gilda hadn’t taken her down, this place is safe from her. Believe me, if she tried, Starlight would kick her flank.”

Starlight gave a confident look. “Well, I wouldn’t say that, but I have analyzed her talent and I firmly believe that I could fend her off with the help of this town.”

“I…” Rainbow started, again looking hard to read. “I…”

“...Don’t know how to feel?” Night Glider replied, slowly stepping forwards. “Like you’ve been looking over your shoulder so long, following her rules for so long, now that you don’t have to, you...just don’t know what to do? Like you’re so used to her ruling you, you never thought about what it’d be like to be out from under her hoof?”

Rainbow’s face had so many emotions running through it. This was what Starlight had been hoping for, after all even Gilda knew she couldn’t give her this.

“It’s like...I know what Spitfire did, I know how much that hurt her...but it’s like...I don’t,” Gilda explained, trying to figure out the words.

“I think I know what you’re saying,” Starlight replied, tapping her chin. “You were bullied by Spitfire...but you were never a threat to her back when you were kids. You were seen as a weakling to occasionally mock, or an annoying obstruction to throw aside. But never a threat. Never someone she needed to crush into the ground and force to submit to her. Rainbow, however, was. So while Spitfire’s treatment of her and her treatment of you were similar, they are not the same. So while you can sympathize with some things, you can’t sympathize with everything. And not with what Rainbow specifically experienced. So despite similarities, you can only do so much...I know how hard that is to realize...”

“...Then who can?”

“Hmm...I might know someone.”

“Look, Rainbow,” Night Glider said, making her posture as nonthreatening as possible. “I’m not saying we should be best friends. All I’m saying is if you need someone who knows what it was like to be under her, to be tormented by her, to have her lurking over your shoulder constantly your entire life...just ask, okay?”

The room was silent for a few moments, Rainbow’s face cycling through emotions...until she finally spoke again. “A-Alright. C-Cool.”

“And remember: she did all this because she knows you’re better than you think you are and didn’t want you to realize it,” Night Glider explained, giving a reassuring smile.

Baby steps. Sometimes just getting someone to be willing to accept an offered hoof was all you needed to start the process. Starlight had no delusions she could reverse an entire childhood and lifetime of abuse in a single day. She’d seen too many cases to ever entertain that idea. People liked to say ‘sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me,’ but that was far from true. And Spitfire had been using all three in one way or another. Still, Starlight had hope, and sometimes that was all someone needed to be saved.

However, before the conversation could continue, Double Diamond burst in, the door slamming against the wall as he painted. “Starlight!”

Starlight snapped around. “What’s wrong, Double Diamond? It isn’t like you to be so worked up.”

“Party Favor was attacked by an intruder in Our Town!”

“Are you alright?” Starlight asked, rushing up as she noticed several ponies tending to Party Favor.

The stallion nodded, shaking his head to clear it. “I managed to avoid most of his attacks, but he was powerful…”

Starlight carefully looked over the environment, noting the obvious destruction. Craters dotted the road and part of Party Favor’s house had been blown away. She performed a quick magical scan of the environment. “I see...looks like dark magic specifically. What did the attacker look like?”

“He was an orange unicorn with a reddish-orange mane, tail, and beard, white on top of his muzzle and white forelegs,” the stallion recited, analytically. “He was wearing a wizard’s cloak, blue with cyan stars.”

Starlight blinked, something triggering in her mind. “I see...what about his Cutie Mark?”

“I got a glimpse as he was running,” Party Favor replied. “It was a dark orange sun with light coming off one way and turquoise stars on the other...Starlight? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Starlight trotted to the mailbox outside her home. She’d gained a number of pen pals, her father had encouraged her to open up. She was gradually starting to find out everyone had problems and helping them with their problems as they helped her through hers was a fascinating experience. One she wished to repeat with everyone she could reach, no matter how long it took.

Starswirl smiled as she went through the letters one by one, she smiled as she saw a certain name.

“Dear Starlight,

Things are going well here in Canterlot, but I’m having some problems remembering what I study. Not that I can’t handle it! Just a few memory slips! Can’t be helped I guess. Canterlot is just so big with so much to memorize, I think anyone would have some trouble remembering all of it. I wish you were here Starlight, you’ve always been better at this stuff than me.

Sunburst.”

Starlight gave a smile as she headed into her house and got to work on her return letter.

“Dear Sunburst,

Things are going okay back here. Dad is being doting, as per usual. I’ve made some new friends, but I still miss you.

As for the memory problems, I find a cup of hot tea before studying makes it stick in my memory better. Studying can be difficult, but I know you can do it. I believe in you, Sunburst…I really miss you, but I’m glad you’re following your potential. If I can help you reach it, I will do everything I can, even if we’re so far apart.

Your best friend, Starlight Glimmer.”

Starlight blinked, looking down and noticing tears running down her face. It hadn’t been that long since Sunburst had left for the School for Gifted Unicorns. It was hard to deal with him being so far away...but she was proud for him. Who was she to try and stifle him for her sake?

“It can’t be…” Starlight muttered, a cold chill creeping up her spine. “Which way did he go?”

“That way,” Party Favor replied, pointing...right in the direction of Sugar Belle’s bakery.

Starlight’s eyes widened and she lifted herself in her magic before shooting off in hot pursuit. “It can’t be him, can it?” she asked herself. “He...he wouldn’t do something like this…”

As she flew, the Bringer of Equality could already hear fighting and blasts going off. As she got into visual range, she saw beams of arcane energy tear through a piece of Sugar Belle’s house, while a shadowy barrier blocked a barrage of scones. Starlight acted without thinking, flying forwards and launching a beam of magic at the attacker.

The horn of the figure glowed golden and a black barrier blocked her attack. “Well, Starlight, long time no see.”

Starlight’s eyes widened and she gave a gasp. As she was recovering from the shock of hearing the voice, the figure turned, black energy flowing up his neck to his horn before he fired a swirling orange and black beam. Starlight was forced to put up a barrier that cracked against the energy, but just held. “S-Sunburst?”

The figure turned fully, the familiar gold fur and red mane and tail now fully visible. A small beard on his face and a confident smirk. “Hello, Starlight. How are you doing?”

Starlight waited by the mailbox...and waited...and waited...and waited. Day after day, week after week, year after year. First the letters had gotten further apart. Then further. Then further. And then they’d finally stopped altogether. She wrote the school...but Sunburst had left. Not graduated, not been expelled, he’d just...left…

Why? Why would he do that? Why would he just...never come back? She’d heard he might have headed north, but couldn’t find anything. She’d looked everywhere she could go, maybe heard a story here or a story there. It seemed he was okay, that he’d gotten strong. So why...why had he left?

She was sure one day she’d find him again. They were friends, they’d have to right?

Part of her deep down wanted to blame the day he’d gotten his Cutie Mark. The special talent that had separated them...but the part of her who had countless other friends because of their talents argued the opposite. And so that was what she chose to listen to.

Another part of her, however, kept whispering the same words over and over again: ‘It’s your fault.’

“Sunburst...where have you been?! What are you doing?!” Starlight asked as her brain tried to make sense of the sight before her.

Sunburst gave a confident smirk. “Oh here, there, everywhere,” he replied, Starlight taking note of how he carried himself. Strong, confident. Almost making a show of his every move. “Studying in the north, everywhere really...As for what I’m doing here…” he said, producing something from inside his cloak.

Starlight’s eyes widened as the golden bell hanging in his magic shown in the light, the sheer amount of magic being given off like a beacon even at range. “Is that King Grogar’s Blessed Bell?!”

“Indeed,” the proud unicorn said, admiring it. “The bell of the beloved ruler of Equestria who reigned in ancient times and used this to grant power to the powerless and take power from the wicked. That is until Gusty the Grievous stole it and banished him to parts unknown.”

“Oh, so you want to use it to find and restore him?” Starlight asked, almost pleading.

“No,” her old friend replied, giving a smirk. “I’m going to use it to empower myself with its massive reservoir of magic. The problem is that I don’t know how, and I’ve tracked a book with the knowledge on how to do so here. Do you happen to have it?”

Starlight hummed, standing at the foundations of Our Town as she read from an ancient spell book.

“Yeah, this is good rock,” Maud said with a smirk as she tapped it down. “Real solid, you can’t do much better than this!”

“Good to know,” said Starlight with a smile. An almost tired one. Her body well-muscled, but bags clearly under her eyes. “According to this, Grogar only used the power he granted others with his bell to show them the person they could be. Not a permanent empowering but a means to temporarily let them reach their true potential so they can see exactly what they’re capable of doing and be inspired to reach it on their own.” The teacher gave a content look. “If I could figure out how to do that myself, that would be a great help to my Our Town project...Show everyone they have the potential to be great and equal to one another.”

Maud smirked. “Hey, Star, I know you can figure it out! You’re one of the smartest ponies I know! Just do yourself a favor and take it easy once in awhile!”

Starlight chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m just excited about helping people…” she said, involuntarily yawning.

Except she hadn’t figured it out. She’d found many ways to help others finding their talents and reach their potential. She’d managed to grant Gilda peak Griffon potential...but only be complete accident and unable to ever repeat it no matter what she did. She was proud of everything she’d accomplished. Everyone she’d helped...but that was something she’d never been able to replicate...except.

“Sunburst, see reason!” Starlight pleaded. “We can use that to help all sorts of ponies! Why use it just to help yourself?”

“Because I need to be stronger, simple as that,” Sunburst replied with prideful attempt. “Simple as that.”

Starlight broke her eyes away from him, looking at the destruction around them and remembering the destruction at Party Favor’s house. “And you’ll attack innocent people just to do that?!”

“It’s a hard world, Starlight,” her former friend replied. “Gotta look out for number one.”

“That isn’t what you thought when we were friends! You saved me!” Starlight yelled, tears starting in her eyes. “W-What happened to you?!”

Sunburst smirked. “Oh, Starlight, you haven’t seen me in years, how do you know who I really am?”

The Bringer of Equality lowered her head, lost in thought for the moment. “...Why did you leave the School for Gifted Unicorns? Why did you leave me?”

Sunburst...paused for a moment, his face unreadable, even to her for the moment. “...Maybe the school just wasn’t good enough for me.” Then came that egotistical smirk. “So, Starlight, are you going to hand over the book? You’re always about helping others be their best possible self.”

Starlight was quiet for a few moments. “No...this wouldn’t be helping you be your best,” she said, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “Because being your best isn’t about being powerful, it’s about being the best person you can be! And I’ve seen you better than this!”

The stallion’s expression didn’t change, but she swore perhaps his eyes widened just a bit. “Fine then, guess we’re doing this the hard way.”

“...Please don’t make me do this,” Starlight said simply, pleading eyes looking back at him.

“Oh, Starlight, I’m not making you do anything,” Sunburst replied. “I gave you an out, you didn’t take it.”

The Bringer of Equality prepared to protect herself...only for her to notice she wasn’t Sunburst’s target. She quickly teleported between him and Sugar Belle, blocking a swirling, dark tractor beam-like spell that instantly began trying to pull her force field towards Sunburst. She’d known he was magically gifted, but how did he get this strong?

“Sugar Belle, go get the others somewhere safe and stay away from us,” Starlight warned, ripping a huge chunk of rock out of the ground to block the tractor beam spell. “He’s trying to use you as leverage to get me to tell him where the book is!”

Sugar Belle slowly nodded and dashed off in the direction of the ponies who were coming to help.

“Sunburst, no one touches my students, not even you!” Starlight yelled, teleporting up and raining several stun spells down at the unicorn.

Keeping his legs hidden beneath his cloak, Sunburst’s horn glowed orange while a red barrier formed between him and the attacks. “I won’t hurt them, Starlight, so long as you give me the book.”

Holding herself in the air with her telekinesis, Starlight strafed Sunburst several times, raining down stun spells, but the same red shield emerging to block them. His horn glowing once again, a pair of black, feathered ethereal wings manifested from his back, carrying him skywards. The two now partook in an aerial dogfight high above Our Town. Starlight instantly went for more stun and sleep spells, but Sunburst dodged and invaded, counter firing with spell bolts of his own, keeping his limbs tucked inside his cloak and making himself a smaller target.

Starlight noticed that Sunburst continued to position himself above her, his attacks firing down. This left her with no choice but to block them with shields or counter spells with Our Town to her back. She tried repeatedly to teleport or fly above him, but he either caught up or fired down, forcing her to block.

“It’s up to you, Starlight! Give up the book or Our Town might end up caught in the crossfire!” called Sunburst, smug, confident smile still on his face.

Starlight didn’t take the bait, instead opening fire with a series of spell bolts. Sunburst dodged one, noticing it hit a cloud and encase it in crystal. “Still trying not to hurt me?” He blocked the next few in his red barrier, then retaliated with a swirling black and green beam. Starlight briefly noted it fired from a few inches in front of him rather than his horn directly. Regardless, she defended herself with a shield, but dark, corrupted crystals began rapidly growing over top of it, forcing her to dodge before they engulfed it entirely.

The mare’s eyes widened. “That...that was Empress Cadenza’s spell!”

Sunburst gave a proud smirk. “I may have spent some time in the Crystal Empire. It was quite informative.”

“What?!” Starlight asked in shock, before having to block another corrupted blast and quickly avoid it overgrowing her shield. “Why?! You were doing well!”

“Well, Starlight, we could say it’s your fault,” Sunburst said, dodging a counter beam and retaliating. The two dashed and weaved through the sky, trading attacks at rapid pace.

“How?! What did I do?!” Starlight asked.

Starlight walked to her mailbox, looking worn down, frazzled, and struggling to keep her eyes open. She mentally pleaded to whatever would listen that the message she was still waiting for would finally greet her on a very special anniversary. The Bringer of Equality opened the mailbox and looked through the letters, having long since had her mail forwarded here...but the name she hoped for once more eluding her. On this, the anniversary of the day they’d met.

“Why?” the unicorn asked, clinching her eyes shut. “Why did...why did you stop?” she asked, old wounds having never healed. “Was it something I did?...Did I say something wrong?...Sunburst...what happened?” she asked, a voice in the back of her head constantly sending words of blame and accusation. Even after all this time. “I can help others...why can’t I help you?”

Starlight tried to avoid letting tears well up in her eyes again. “What happened, Sunburst? What did I...what happened to you?”

“I just took your advice, maybe tweaked it a bit,” Sunburst replied. “Finding help from one thing here, another there. You taught me that, Starlight. Why don’t you just help me again and give me that book already?”

The mare growled. “For the last time, no!” she roared, firing a beam that exploded into a massive rain of stun spells, only for Sunburst to teleport away.

“You always taught me that if I need help, go to someone who can teach me, so that’s exactly what I did,” the stallion replied, reappearing...all around her in bursts of green fire. “If I wasn’t strong enough I don’t need this, then isn’t that your fault for being a bad teacher?”

Starlight dodged and weaved through beams, trying to figure out which Sunburst was the real one. “I tried, Sunburst! I really did! But I was a filly at the time! I wasn’t as good of a teacher as I am now!”

“No, you weren’t. And that’s why this is all your fault,” Sunburst replied, teleporting above her while his clones had her distracted and cast a spell.

Starlight found herself in complete darkness. She quickly looked around trying to figure out what was happening...then blinked, seeing a crying young Sunburst walking out of the School for Gifted Unicorns in Canterlot.

“You’re the cause of this…” Sunburst’s voice echoed behind her.

She snapped around, preparing to fire, only to find Sunburst cowering in front of Empress Cadenza, the Empress’s horn glowing as she gave a sadistic smirk.

“And this…”

Looking around, Starlight started to panic as she saw countless shades of her fillyhood friend trying to find his way in the world...and failing. Trying to get job after job, trying to learn magic and gain power, only to fail at every turn...seeking out Celestia, Cadenza, and others to learn.

“All of this is your fault. And how many other ponies have you not been able to help when you should?”

Starlight watched as countless impoverished ponies all rose up around her moving towards her. “Help us, Starlight. Why didn’t you help us?”

The mare began hyperventilating. “I’m trying! I’m trying to help everyone I can! I’m still learning! Someday maybe I’ll...maybe I’ll…”

“Maybe you’ll what? No one pony can help everyone.”

Starlight, years into her Our Town project, prepared for another morning...frazzled and exhausted, bags under her eyes and staggering slightly from fatigue. She couldn’t allow anyone to slip through the cracks. She stumbled as she grabbed her papers and prepared to run out the door...only for it to be swung open. “Guys?”

“Starlight, this is a bit of an intervention,” said Party Favor, giving a concerned look.

“We appreciate everything you’ve done for all of us, but you’re going to kill yourself if you don’t slow down,” Sugar Belle said. “Look at yourself.”

“I can’t!” Starlight yelled back. “I can’t...I can’t let anyone down…” she said, the image of the empty mailbox in her mind. “I can’t fail anyone else...”

“And you won’t,” Double Diamond replied, working up the nerve. “We’ve all made enough progress you said we could move on, but we don’t want that.”

“We want to stay here, with you. And help you teach others as you did us,” Party Favor continued.

“Now, we know about that whole mess where you tried to just have everyone do what they wanted and rule themselves,” Sugar Belle said with a slight cringe. Starlight did the same with a small blush. “But this won’t be the same. You know us, you trust us. And we’ll run everything by you.”

Night Glider put a motherly hoof on her shoulder. “We’d all still be in bad places without you, please just let us pay you back.”

The group collectively hugged her.

“No one pony can do this all by themselves,” Double Diamond said, giving her a reassuring look. “So let us help you. Maybe if enough people choose to help, someday you really can help them all.”

“You’re right, no one can,” Starlight finally said. With that, mental images of each of her friends formed around her, an explosion of light going off.

Sunburst gave a shout, being knocked back and slamming onto a roof as the illusion spell shattered. Something inside his cloak clattered loudly. “How?!”

“Because seeing you...being reminded of ‘the one that got away…’ it reminded me that I’ve never been able to help everyone alone, I nearly killed myself trying…I still struggle with that...” Starlight declared...before her expression softened. “I want to help you too, Sunburst...but I can’t do that without YOUR help.”

“I don’t need your help!” said Sunburst, snapping up. Starlight knew she’d hit a nerve. “I just need that book!” The unicorn once more flew up, creating his illusion copies...only for a barrage of scones to fly through and dispel them. “What?!”

“Everyone needs help,” Sugar Belle stated, throwing another barrage of scones. “Sorry, Starlight, but we couldn’t just leave you alone.”

Starlight blinked...before giving a small smile.

While they were intercepted by the strange barrier Sunburst made, he was left open to a concussive magic blast from Starlight, sending him flying back before he caught himself. He turned and tried to fire at Sugar Belle, only for a rope made of balloons to wrap around his leg. Looking down, Party Favor and several of Our Town’s Earth Ponies pulled hard. Sunburst caught himself, snarling before sending dark crystals down the stream and forcing them to dodge, but once more being distracted. Starlight took advantage to fire a spell that swiftly in cased him in crystal.

Growling as he fell, Sunburst snarled and dark crystals spread through the prison until it shattered. “Are you really so weak that you need others to do your dirty work?!”

Starlight floated, resolute. “This isn’t weakness!”

Rainbow Dash stood nearby, part of her wanting to help but trembling. Her ears perked up.

“I have a problem, Sunburst,” the Bringer of Equality admitted. “I’m always running to try and solve problems myself! Always trying to work myself to death thinking I can do it all on my own! But it’s like you said: I’m not strong enough, no one is! And accepting you’re not strong enough and asking for help! And for all your guilt tripping, you know if you’d asked help, I’d have given it! So why are you really doing this?”

Sunburst growled in rage. “I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP!” he roared, drawing power into his horn, something glowing brightly under his cloak. “I DON’T NEED ANYONE’S!”

“Sky drop time!”

Sunburst looked up just in time for a pair of skis to slam into his face, Double Diamond falling, dropped by Night Glider. Knocked silly, Starlight blasted him with a concussive spell (intended to daze, not injure), sending him flying and crashing onto a roof while Double Diamond expertly landed on his house’s slope and came down safely.

As Sunburst crashed to the roof, several objects, wands, and artifacts flying out of his cloak. Shaking his head to clear it, his eyes went wide. “No!” he exclaimed, frantically trying to pull them back inside.

“...None of that power was actually yours, was it?” Starlight said, hovering down. “You just wanted me to think it was.”

That was what all this was about, wasn’t it? Why he didn’t hide to cover his motives? Why he refused help now but was chastening her for not giving it to him before? It was a cover...

“It is my power!” Sunburst snarled. “I’ve spent years, years, gathering these artifacts! They’re mine! And that means their power is mine! And I won’t let you look down on me for it!”

Starlight gave a small sigh. “Sunburst, I don’t judge you for using artifacts, within reason that is. Lots of ponies do, but if you were really proud of it, you wouldn’t have hid it.” A small spell flickered in her horn and she looked at him. “...You don’t have faith in yourself, do you?”

Sunburst’s eyes went wide, then narrowed into a glare as his face contorted in complete rage. “I don’t need your pity! I don’t need anyone!” he roared, pulling out a pulsing dark orb. “I just need that book!”

The group covered their eyes as the unicorn exploded in a gigantic blast of dark magic. Inside it, a towering form began to bubble and form, casting a shadow over all in front of it. When the magic cleared, in his place was a towering construct, tentacles extending and draconic, skull-like head with four eyes at the top, Sunburst snarling in a ‘gem’ in the head with his eyes glowing green.

“Sunburst, what have you done?” Starlight muttered. “That’s a black magic construct! You won’t be able to-”

Starlight had to shield herself as a swing of its tentacle sent her flying through a building.

“Don’t tell me what I can’t do!” Sunburst screamed, his voice manic. “I’m stronger than you think I am! I’m stronger than everyone thinks! I’m not weak!” Sunburst snarled, turning the construct towards Starlight’s house. “I’ll just smash the place and look through the rubble!”

Party Favor tried to bind him up with streams of balloons, but they tore and popped almost instantly, only slowing it down for a few seconds. Sugar Belle and a few ponies with medieval reenactment Cutie Marks put giant scones on catapults and launched them straight into the behemoth's face, but only succeeded in drawing its attention and causing it to fire a huge beam of dark magic. The group were forced to leap out of the way as the catapults were blown to pieces.

Rainbow Dash gasped, eyes widening as she saw the beam heavily damage several buildings behind it. The image of a cloud city in flames superimposed over Our Town as she began to hyperventilate.

Starlight flew back up, dodging tentacles and beams before flying by, blasting the behemoth several times with massive beams of magic. Double Diamond was once more air dropped by Night Glider onto the massive construct, using his ski poles to stab into it several times, but had to frantically evade several tentacles as Night Glider took to evading and distracting it to buy him time.

“Sunburst, stop it! That’s the Eye of Envy! That construct is drawing power from a demonic force and your own dark emotions! It’s black magic! You won’t be able to control it!” Starlight yelled, spinning around as she ripped huge rocks out of the ground and smashed them into the construct, staggering it slightly.

“SHUT UP!” Sunburst roared, tentacles trying to whip and bash away Starlight. “I didn’t steal this from Celestia just to have you lecture me!”

“Doesn’t the fact even Celestia didn’t use it show you shouldn’t be?!” the Bringer of Equality yelled back as she dodged.

Rainbow continued to breath heavily, the image of the towering demonic construct flickering back and forth with the image of a yellow, fiery haired figure glaring at her.

Starlight screamed as her barrier shattered and she was sent tumbling back.

“Now then, let’s get that book…” Sunburst said, turning...or rather trying to. “W-What?”

The construct roared and continued chasing Starlight without his input, Sunburst struggling in the ‘cockpit.’

“No! I’m in control here!” screamed Sunburst. Looking down, he found green darkness slowly filling up the chamber. “Stop!” He struggled, trying to escape...only seeing his own envious face staring back at him from all directions within the darkness. He felt like he was sinking deeper and deeper into something, and no matter how hard he tried to swim back to the surface. The deeper he sunk, the more images of himself, staring at those who grew and changed and had more than himself. People he wanted to respect him instead of him looking up to them. Especially at Starlight. “No...please...I didn’t want this…” he muttered, tears starting in his eyes.

Rainbow Dash continued breathing deeply, watching this unfold...and watching Starlight try to reach Sunburst, only to be batted into the air and the monster open its mouth to swallow her. Images of Starlight protecting her...of standing by her. Of supporting her. Images of Gilda fighting Spitfire, even if she didn’t see it herself. Of Fluttershy letting her go to help her…

“I know what it’s like to be beaten down...feeling like if you ever try to stand out, it will somehow bring her down on you,” Night Glider continued. “Not as bad, not by a long shot...but I know...That’s why I’m here. I suppressed my Cutie Mark and my talent. Starlight found me. She brought me in, brought me here...and taught me to not let her rule me anymore.”

= The Intrepid – Full Metal Aclhemist Brotherhood =

As Starlight fell and tried to catch herself, both heard a whooshing of air and looked over to see a mach cone forming as something flew their direction.

Tears ran down Rainbow Dash’s face, seeing the sneering visage of Spitfire superimposed over the beast’s face… “Y-You’re gone...G-Gilda put you behind bars...S-Starlight says you’ll n-never hurt me again...s-so does N-Night Glider…” she forced herself to say, shaking, her heart quaking. “My...My...My...” she forced herself to say, trying to break through the mental barrier at the same time she tried breaking through another one. Trying to finally shatter a shackle she’d lived with since she was a filly. “M-My...M-My n-name...My name is...” A rainbow-colored shockwave erupted as the sound barrier ruptured and with it, the image of Spitfire shattered to pieces. Chains holding back a young filly’s heart finally broke. “RAINBOW DASH!!!”

The black magic construct roared as the rainbow color shockwave cracked its form, and the artifact that had summoned it. Starlight took advantage, teleporting to the cracked ‘cockpit’ and using a spell blade to slash it open.

Sunburst gasped, a light filling his vision as a hoof broke through the shadows and grabbed him.

A rainbow colored spear lanced through the heart of the demon, artifacts powered by negativity either cracking or losing power. The construct roared out, light bursting through it’s body before one final blast consumed its form and burned away like a nightmare with the dawn.

Rainbow Dash panted, flying free of the blast. The paranoid part of her mind still expected Spitfire to appear and ruin this moment, beat her down again...but it didn’t happen. Spitfire wasn’t here. And she never would be again. “...I...I did it…” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. She finally gave a small, tearful smile, hugging herself. “I...I did something right…” She blinked, finding Night Glider flying up next to her...and giving her a hug. Rainbow returned it, and the two just hovered there, letting the rainbow maned pegasus process her victory. “I’m...I’m Rainbow Dash...I’m Rainbow Dash!!!”

Starlight, lowering herself and Sunburst to the ground, considered flying up and joining in the hug...but Night Glider had it covered, she had another soul to help. “I’m so proud of you, Rainbow Dash.” She slowly turned, looking to Sunburst and doing a quick magic scan of her old friend to make sure he was alright.

“...You saved me…” Sunburst said in complete disbelief. “W-Why?”

“...Was I hurt by what you did?” asked Starlight, letting her pain show. “Yes...but you needed help, and that’s what I want to do: help everyone who needs it...and...you’re still my childhood friend.”

The two sat there for several minutes in silence.

“...What happened, Sunburst? What really happened?” asked Starlight finally asked.

Sunburst looked hesitant...but after what happened, his ego wasn’t exactly in its most resistant state. “...I took your advice...but I...I always felt I was falling behind no matter what I did...so I kept taking shortcuts...I kept using your ideas in my...own way...But even when I succeeded and told people how I did it...all they would do was comment on how I couldn’t do it on my own...that I was relying on other people. Elitist snobs tend to look for any reason to look down on a ‘small town’ unicorn like me.”

“A mindset that I have to fight as often as much as I do mindsets like the one Rainbow Dash ended up in,” replied Starlight. Her mind went back to how poor Twilight had been treated that made her the way she was...she was going to have a long, hard chat with the people in charge of that school when this was over.

Sunburst snarled. “I couldn’t stand it...so I went from place to place, trying to find power my own way...trying to get strong enough I wouldn’t need help...I wouldn’t need to...at first it was just finding artifacts, but people looked down on me for that...then it eventually got to the point I tried working with Celestia and Cadence...and both of them looked down on and abused me. If they even gave me the time of day at all.” The unicorn finally sighed. “...I...I just wanted to be strong like you...and I didn’t want you to think I was weak…”

Starlight said nothing, she merely hugged him. “...I don’t think anyone is weak except those who look down on others just to make themselves feel strong. Sunburst, it’s not weak to ask for help. It’s not weak to get it...You’ve done wrong, you need to own up to that...but never think I’d think less of you for asking for help.”

Sunburst didn’t return the hug...he didn’t apologize...but he didn’t object. He didn’t fight. He just let her hug him. Or was too stunned to know what to do. That was at least a start. Every journey starts with the first step.

Still, one old friend taking the first step and another new one breaking chains that held her down for years. As a teacher, and as a friend, Starlight had a successful day. It’d take a lot more to set everything right. Rainbow Dash had taken back her name, but still had to figure out who the mare baring that name really was and had far more baggage to work through. Sunburst wasn’t resisting...but he was barely out of the starting gate, let alone at the end of the race...but progress made perfect.

The Blessing Bell would be useful...but Starlight would be careful with it. After all, maybe finding Grogar and bringing him back would be possible someday, and that’d help everyone. Until then, using it to give others a taste of what they could be when other means wouldn’t cut it would be fine.

The book was once more closed as the figure looked up at the stained glass portrait. “And that is the story of Starlight, Bringer of Equality. Equality means all are equal, and that means no matter how strong you are, no one can do anything alone. And there’s nothing wrong with asking for help...ready for the next story?”

The End