Protect & Serve

        Starlight trudged downstairs from her room, the weight of a near sleepless night slowing her trot to a crawl. Dark circles hung drearily from underneath her eyes, bringing down whatever countenance she may try to erect as a facade. Her mane, which was usually styled in an elegant coiffure that Rarity had helped her perfect, now hung loose down her neck and down to her shoulders.

        “Eesh, you look terrible...” Starlight turned her head to the side, spotting a rather chipper looking baby dragon coming up beside her. A white bath towel hung around the dragon’s waist, signalling he had just gotten through with a shower.

        Starlight didn’t even have the energy or wherewithal to explain to Spike how rude it was to address somepony like that. Sure,she knew that she looked like something a Timberwolf would drag to its den, but that was no excuse to be so blunt about it.

        “Meh…” Was the only utterance that Starlight could muster at the insult. She wasn’t going to waste her energy on berating Spike, that could wait until she got some semblance of caffeine in her system.

        The pair walked towards the kitchen that was housed deep in the bowels of the crystalline palace. It was in relative silence given the fact that Starlight didn’t want to talk and Spike had almost certainly picked up on that fact. That was good on his part, because Starlight could not be held accountable for her actions if the little reptile made her angry.

        “Good morning you two!” Twilight called to Starlight and Spike as they rounded the corner. The princess was busy pouring a bowl of cereal with one cloud of magic, and holding a book in the air with another that she was seemingly focused on. Somehow she had also noticed them walk in, but Starlight couldn’t figure out how.

        “Good morning, Twilight!” Spike responded as he strode over to the counter. Twilight absentmindedly floated the now prepared bowl of cereal down to the dragon, which he grabbed and went to the table with. “Careful around Starlight, I think she’s a bit grumpy this morning.” Again, that was rude but Starlight still lacked the energy to rebuke him.

        “Spike, don’t be rude.” Twilight put her book down and shot the baby dragon a harsh look of disapproval, which he simply shrugged off. Starlight managed to laugh quietly to herself, despite her ruined state. Twilight rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Starlight, who was fiddling with the coffee maker impatiently. “Are you okay, Starlight?”

        What a loaded question. ‘Okay’ was not one of the words that Starlight would use to describe her temperament on a good day, and today wasn’t even a good day. Aside from the constant aching guilt, now there was the image of solid black eyes staring into her soul and the feeling of poison blocking her throat that lingered from her nightmare. It had kept her up all night, making her look into the deeper meaning of the dream and the phantoms it had produced. Then, there was that voice… It had sounded venomous and sinister, and it terrified Starlight.

        “I’m awake.” Was the rather deadpan answer that Starlight produced. It was the one fact that she was willing to admit at this point. She didn’t want to bother Twilight with her problems, the princess didn’t need to worry about her mental well-being. Now that she was training to be a guard, it was supposed to be the other way around.

        “Well, if you feel like talking, I’m here.” Twilight smiled as she picked up her book and went to the table to join Spike. Did Starlight feel bad about snubbing Twilight like that? Of course, she did. The alicorn meant well and only wanted to make sure Starlight was okay, but frankly, Starlight didn’t know how to explain her problem without sounding crazy. Dreams, and by extension nightmares, were just a representation of abstract thought through a subconscious medium. It was supposed to give insight into what ponies really felt deep down, and Starlight didn’t like sharing with Twilight what she was apparently thinking deep down.

        The coffee maker, after several minutes of sputtering and fighting, produced a pot of the glorious black liquid that brought joy to so many ponies throughout Equestria. Its aroma brought smiles to the entire kitchen, especially Starlight. The pale pink pony pried the pot from its perch and poured herself a pint.

        The unicorn took a seat at the table directly across from Spike. At the moment, she wasn’t hungry enough to warrant any breakfast, so coffee would sustain her for now. She took a drink from her mug, opting to add nothing to the pitch black ambrosia. She preferred her coffee bitter to help her wake up, the sweet stuff that some ponies added to their coffee did nothing to help, it just improved the flavor. Nopony drank coffee for the flavor, though so what did it matter?

        “So what’s on the agenda for today, Twilight?” Spike spoke, his mouth full of corn flakes and milk. “Gonna hang out with Cadance or something?” The dragon swallowed after Twilight gave him a scolding glare for his poor manners.

        “No, she had to leave early this morning with Celestia and Luna to head back to Canterlot.” Twilight sighed, obviously miffed that she couldn’t spend more time with her mentor or sister-in-law. “Starlight’s going to be training with Shiny all day, so I don’t know what I’m going to do all day.” Starlight knew what Twilight was going to do for the day, something involving books. Her schedule always involved books. “I suppose I could look for that book I was trying to find yesterday…”

        “Training, right...” Starlight mumbled, letting her head hit the solid oak table beneath it. She had forgotten all about the training session today in her nightmare haze. It was the absolute last thing she wanted to put up with today, but it looked unavoidable at this rate. She couldn’t just call it off, that would make her look uncommitted and weak to Shining Armor, and after yesterday’s disaster, that was something she just couldn't afford.

        “If this is too much, I’m sure I can ask my brother to call off training for today.” Twilight was sweet and understanding, but Starlight already knew that. She couldn’t take that offer, though. Calling the training off would only prove her weakness in the eyes of Twilight and Shining Armor. Starlight couldn’t allow that.

        “No.” Starlight lifted her head and took a pull from her mug, the sweet elixir pouring down her throat and into her awaiting stomach. The effects weren’t immediate much to Starlight’s dismay, but she could feel herself livening up already. “I can do it, Twilight. I just need to wake up.” She took another swig of coffee, this time nearly emptying her cup in one go. “I’ll be okay...” The unicorn mumbled halfheartedly, trying to convince herself of that fact more than anyone else.

        “Spike, can you leave us alone for a minute, please?” The princess spoke with a gentle authority, a tone borrowed from Celestia. The dragon grabbed his bowl of cereal and hopped down from the table, taking it out of the kitchen. Now it was just Starlight and Twilight alone together. ”Starlight-” The young alicorn started, but Starlight cut her off abruptly.

        “Have you ever felt tired?” The question hung in the air like a lead balloon. Twilight cocked her head to the side inquisitively. “I don’t mean the ‘I’ve stayed up all night studying’ kind of tired, either.” Starlight sighed and thought of her next words carefully. The sentiment had been weighing heavily on her mind for some time now, it was time to finally explore it with words now. “I wake up every morning and I’m tired, Twilight. I talk with you and I’m just-” The unicorn deflated, all of her muscles losing the will to keep her sitting up straight. “I’m tired, even when I’m not...”

        Starlight sincerely hoped that this made sense. It was a maelstrom of emotions and pent-up negativity that had been swirling in her head since Twilight had showed up in her life. This oppressive weight had been holding her down, making even the most menial task feel sisyphean in nature.

        “Ever since I broke in here and tried to change the past, I’ve just been feeling so… depressed.” There it was, that dangerous word that Starlight never wanted to hear or say, but it was the truth. Before all of this, Starlight was known as a very proud and verbose pony, but now she was meek and short with words. She just didn’t have the same spark that had once lit the fire in her belly, now it was but a dim flame she had to stoke carefully to keep alive daily. “But this, this guard position, it’s something to give me purpose. Even training yesterday, it made me feel more alive and awake than anything else. It feels like I have purpose again, Twilight.” That once oppressive weight lifted itself from her shoulders.

        “Starlight, I-” Words caught in Twilight’s throat and then lost their way. What could she say to this? It was an impossible task to confront such a confession with mere words. How do you comfort somepony who knows they have problems? “-I understand.”

        “Thank you, Twilight.” Starlight sighed and bowed her head. “I think I need to get ready for more training, now.” Again, Starlight’s words failed her. She could say more, she could tell Twilight how much she appreciated her understanding, how thankful she was for absolutely everything, but there was a gnawing in her gut that wouldn’t allow her to speak so frankly with the princess. It halted a lot of things that she wanted to say.

        One day, she would get over it, she would find her courage, and she would tell Twilight how she really felt.

Starlight took several steps back as she observed her form in the mirror before her. From her hooves to the tip of her horn, Starlight was clad in silver and gold armor. Plate upon plate, the armor shielded her back, sides, legs, and other vulnerable parts of her body. To compete the entire set, she wore a shining helmet that bore an impressive plume, one that resembled the colors of Twilight’s mane.

Starlight couldn't recognize herself in the suit of armor. She turned her head to the left and right, watching the royal guard in the mirror do the same. Her day had done a complete one-eighty. Where before she had been depressed at the old wounds that the nightmare had stirred up, now she felt a sense of pride welling up. Starlight gave a smile, a small one, but it was still a smile.

“Better get used to it, Glimmer. You’re going to be wearing that armor for a long time.” Shining Armor put a forceful hoof on her back, making Starlight stumble forward a step. “Hopefully, looking like a guard will make you feel like a guard, and maybe you won’t fail this time.” Just like that, Starlight’s meager confidence evaporated once again in the shadow of Shining’s verbal jab.

Starlight turned away from the mirror to face Shining. She was going to say something, ask a question about the necessity of armor, only to find that she wasn’t alone with the captain anymore. There was a cloudy gray crystal pony standing just behind the prince, now. He wore a set of silver and seemingly glowing crystal armor. Starlight cocked her head to the side, trying to think if she had seen the crystal pony before.

“This is Sergeant Silvershield.” The captain explained, gesturing to guard by his side. “He's the recruitment officer for Princess Cadance’s personal guard staffed in the Crystal Empire, and he'll be evaluating your mission today, as my consultant.” That wasn’t an idea that Starlight was too fond of, at least she knew what Shining was looking for. The extra scrutiny would be more stress than she currently was under.

“Um… Hello…” Starlight offered the sergeant a simple, nervous greeting, but the crystal pony offered no such friendliness in return. He wore a cold stare, and his stature was unwavering. He gave a stale nod, then stared straight ahead.

Starlight was acutely aware that her armor was a symbol. It was more than just the final piece of a test, it was a symbol of power and pride for the thousands of guards all across Equestria. It was also the final test, her last shot to get this right. Shining would not give her another, if she failed.

        “You aren’t looking too good, Glimmer. Didn’t get a lot of sleep last night?” Shining Armor stood in between her and the intimidating officer from the Crystal Empire as they exited the palace together. Starlight had hoped that Shining wouldn’t pick up on her lack of sleep, but she supposed that would be asking too much.

“I'll be fine…” Starlight assured him. “I'm ready this time.” Shining turned his head and scoffed, making Starlight wonder if he really wanted her to succeed. That had been the captain’s general attitude, though. Starlight was sure half of it was Twilight being his little sister and that he was an overprotective brother, the other half was just that he was an officer in the guard and, that’s just how they operated.

“We’ll see about that.” Shining said as they came to a stop down the road. He raised his hoof and pointed into Ponyville. “Rarity is waiting for you at her boutique. She has already been briefed, and is ready to move out. Your job is to get her safety from the boutique to the school house, where her little sister will be finishing her classes. You are to get them both back to the boutique in under forty-five minutes. I will be playing the same roll I did in our previous training session. If you lose either of them, or if you don't complete the task in time, you fail.”

Starlight swallowed what saliva remained in her already dry mouth in a nervous gulp. Her mission yesterday seemed like a walk in the park compared the the objective she faced now. Pinkie was strange and hyper, but she could be controlled by a stern voice of reason. Rarity was another beast entirely, she was independent and stubborn. Starlight couldn’t use forceful words on the prissy fashionista, if anything they would just embolden her to rebel.

“When do I start?” Starlight held back her fear. She wasn't about to let anypony bully her, especially Shining Armor. She knew what she was capable of. She knew what she could do. She knew what she had to do. All that was left was to prove her worth as a guard to Shining, and… the sergeant from the Crystal Empire…

“The timer starts whenever you are ready, Miss Glimmer.” Sergeant Silvershield spoke for the first time since he had appeared. His voice was deep and calm, though the cold look on his face remained. Starlight turned around, but Shining was already gone, likely to set up another trap for her. “I will be following you along the way, but only to watch your progress. You are to escort your targets alone.”

“Understood…” Starlight breathed heavily. The armor felt heavier than it had before. Starlight reminded herself again and again how powerful she was. She was a unicorn that could levitate herself as if she was flying, she could best Twilight Sparkle, whose special talent was magic, in a magic duel! She controlled the very essence of time and space at one time! “I'm ready.” The unicorn stated confidently, she was going to pass the test this time!

Sergeant Silvershield revealed a small pocket watch from his armor and paused for several seconds. “Starlight Glimmer, your mission begins… now.”

        Making her way to Rarity’s boutique was an easy task. It got her about five minutes total, but Starlight hoped she could make that time up later. The unicorn raised her armor adorned hoof and knocked on the door urgently.

        “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is-oh, Starlight! Hello, yes, please come in, darling!” The pearlescent unicorn smiled wide and ushered the new guard into her abode, the crystal sergeant followed closely. “And who is your new friend?” Rarity fussed with her already perfect mane with her magic when she saw the shining stallion. Starlight only rolled her eyes.

        “Don’t worry about him, he’s not important.” Starlight stated flatly. “What is important is that we get going, we have a timetable to keep.” Hopefully Rarity was a punctual pony and would see things her way. It would make the whole ordeal easier.

        “Oh yes, of course dear. A lady is always on time…” There was a hesitation, one that Starlight did not like in the slightest. “Just let me get your measurements first, perhaps?” Starlight leveled a glare at Rarity to let her know the answer to that question. “I’m sorry, but that armor just simply will not do. It clashes with the plume, and it’s just all wrong! I can whip up a garment that is both fashionable and functional, trust me. Twilight can enchant it to make it stronger than any old suit of armor could ever be.” Starlight stayed silent, the glare following Rarity as she busily hurried around the boutique, looking for something in the various drawers and piles of fabric.

        “Rarity-” Starlight closed her eyes tightly and sighed. She really did not have time for this, not even a little. Any pushing on her part would only be met with the same amount of force from Rarity’s side, that was certain. So a compromise would have to suffice. “-what about if we wait until after this is done? Once we get back here with your sister, I’ll let you take whatever measurements you need.” Starlight opened her eyes to see Rarity beaming at her, the unicorn’s sapphire eyes sparkled with joy.

        “You have yourself a deal, Darling!” Rarity grabbed a saddlebag in her magic and put it over her back. “We shouldn’t waste a second if we are to get this done on time!” Starlight smiled at her small victory. That little bit of incentive she gave Rarity should’ve been enough to propel this whole operation to go smoothly.

        The pair, accompanied by Silvershield, exited the boutique and started on their way to the school house. Rarity attempted to engage Starlight in small talk, mainly gossip about some of her clients. Starlight did not reciprocate any of it, first and foremost because she didn’t care much for gossip, and secondly because she had to focus on their surroundings.

        “-and I said to her, I said, ‘Darling, you simply cannot remain with that brute for a moment longer!’ I still stand by that, any stallion that treats Satin that way deserves nothing less than the Canterlot dungeons!” Starlight came in on the last half of the story, not that she cared about it all that much. She was just tuning in and out of Rarity’s ramblings to see if the unicorn had any objections about their path. Luckily nothing had come up yet. “Oh dear, what’s happening up here?”

        “Hmm?” Starlight followed Rarity’s gaze. It was drawn skyward, where several pegasi were moving angry storm clouds into position overhead. “What in Celestia’s name? There’s not supposed to be a storm today.” Starlight always went over the weather schedule with Twilight every week. There was no storm planned for today or any day this week. Then Starlight spotted a familiar rainbow-maned menace flying amongst the busy pegasi. “Rainbow Dash!”

        Less than five seconds later, the cerulean mare was hovering slightly above the group. “Hey Rarity, hey Starlight. Nice getup, working on your Nightmare Night costume early this year?” Starlight rolled her eyes and sighed.

        “What’s going on? It’s not supposed to rain today.” Starlight got straight to the point, she didn’t want to start a banter with the pegasus. This was one of Shining’s tricks, that much was certain. It had to be.

        “Sorry, Starlight. It came straight from the top, we needed to get this storm out yesterday.” Rainbow shrugged nonchalantly as she hovered. “I can’t really delay this anymore than it’s been already.”

        “I thought you were the weather coordinator for the entire area.” Starlight coccked an eyebrow, looking for a tell that Rainbow was told to do this by Shining Armor. The pegasus rubbed the back of her neck and gave a nervous laugh.

        “Yeah, I mean like the top. Like, a pony who’s so far above me that they’re my boss’ boss’ boss.” Rainbow sighed deeply. “It’s just a small storm, it’s not going to last all day or anything.” That did not help Starlight’s mood at all.

        “Well if you insist on making it rain, then I need to go back to my boutique and fetch an umbrella.” Rarity started to turn around, causing Starlight to grind her teeth in frustration. She was losing Rarity, and it was going to cost a lot of time that they didn’t have!

        “No.” Starlight reached out and stopped Rarity with a hoof. “We’re not going back.” The newly minted guard turned to Rainbow again. “Can you delay the storm just a little bit, Dash?” Rainbow turned back to look at the clouds, apprehension filled every one of her movements. “Fifteen minutes, that’s all I’m asking.” Rainbow made a sound that reminded Starlight of a distressed caribou, making Starlight sigh. “Twilight has a first draft of the new Daring Do book in her study, I can get you a copy if you just hold off the storm for like 15 minutes.”

        “Throw in that sweet Wonderbolts blanket you got for your ‘welcome to the good side party’ and I’ll give you twenty-five.” Starlight tossed that idea around in her head. The blanket was a gift from Pinkie, and it was an awfully comfortable thing to snuggle with at night. Starlight reluctantly held out her hoof, which Rainbow took and shook at lightning speed. “It’s a deal! No takebacks now!” Without another word, the pegasus sped off

        “That was terribly generous of you, Starlight.” Rarity said as she stood beside Starlight. “Seriously, darling, you didn’t have to do that. I will gladly make you another blanket, completely free of charge, after this.”

“Thanks Rarity, but it was nothing. I just don’t want to fail this test again, actually I don’t really think I can. I’m pretty sure if I do, then that’ll be it for me being Twilight’s guard.” Starlight sighed and let herself relax just a little bit. This wasn’t easier than yesterday, but Starlight felt like it was certainly going better.

“Well then we best be getting on with-” Starlight heard something in the distance. She tuned Rarity out and turned her ears to the source of the sound. It was faint, far away and growing. At first she thought it was thunder, then her mind picked up on what it truly was.

“Get down!” Starlight threw up a magical barrier at the last second, a volley of pink magic bolts impacted her turquoise shield. She listened for more shots being fired, but heard no charging magic or discharge. Hesitantly, she lowered her shield. “We need to move, now.” That was not a suggestion, it was an order to Rarity.

“What was that? Was that the ‘danger’ that Shining Armor alluded to?” Rarity was wide eyed, her nerves thoroughly frazzled. Starlight had not expected Rarity to be so easily scared of danger, after all her and the elements of harmony had faced down worse threats.

“Yes.” Starlight responded tersely. She began to trot towards the school house once more, Rarity following closely behind. “It’s also the reason we need to keep moving and try to not stop. The slower we move, the easier it is for him to get a bead on us.” Starlight was now heeding her father’s words he repeated to her when she was just a filly, ‘a good soldier never stays still.’

“The sooner we get this done, the better.” Rarity said. Starlight wasn’t sure if the element of generosity was talking to herself or Starlight, either way, she wasn’t resisting anymore. “Let’s just get Sweetie and get back to the boutique.”

The rest of the journey to the schoolhouse was quiet, if not insanely intense. Every snap of a twig, every sound of a distant horn firing up brought Starlight to attention and closer to action. This had to be part of his plan, stir up paranoia and let the rest take care of itself. It was working, and Starlight couldn’t help it. She hadn’t even seen him when he fired the shots earlier, so he was either hidden or one dangerous marksman. Both possibilities were not fun to account for.

“Hi, Rarity!” Starlight registered the high-pitched tones of Rarity’s sister Sweetie Belle from behind her. She didn’t turn to look, mainly because not even Shining Armor would be reckless enough to fire on a schoolyard full of foals. No, he would be waiting for them somewhere in town. “Why do you have guards? Is something wrong?”

“No, Sweetie.” Rarity cooed reassuringly. “That’s just Starlight Glimmer, she’s training to be Twilight’s personal guard, and we’re just helping her.” Starlight turned to give Sweetie a smile, but as soon as she did, a familiar crackling came to her ear. Another spell had been fired.

Starlight snapped her head to the source of the noise and saw a pink bolt flying towards her, not Sweetie or Rarity. She didn’t have the time to throw up a barrier, it would take too long to form with how fast it was closing in. Instead, Starlight decided to try something a little more dangerous.

The pink unicorn leveled her horn at the projectile and forced every bit of magic she could muster into the tip. Her appendage crackled with an almost blinding light, only growing brighter as the projectile approached.

The bolt of Shining’s magic impacted the concentrated energy of her own, as soon as it did, Starlight cast a simple dispel that got rid of the harmful magic. Then she followed it up with her own trick. Since it had impacted her horn, she could feel the path that the magic bolt had taken, she could feel the trail that it left all the way back it’s source. So she sent her own magic along the magical contrail left behind.

It took a few seconds, but there was a distant ZAP and a loud bout of cursing in the distance. Starlight had either hit Shining dead on or at least hit near him, either was good for her. Maybe it would make the captain think twice about attacking again.

“Hah!” The armored unicorn cheered gleefully. “Thought you could outplay me, huh? No chance!” Starlight wasn’t usually one for cockiness, but when she got the best of somepony who was supposed to be above her, well she let some slide.

“That was so cool!” The ivory filly standing behind Starlight cheered aloud. “You like made it go right back! How did you even do that?” Starlight felt her well of self-confidence grow exponentially in the light of the current praise. It wasn’t every day she was able to show off like that.

“Well-”Starlight started. “-I simply built up a large pool of raw magic at the tip of my horn, knowing that the incoming spell would have to burn through it to be effective. So, as it was pushing through my magic, I cast a little dispel to get rid of his magic, then sent my own back through the magical trail that his bolt of magic left behind.” Starlight was quite proud of the feat itself, it was a masterful stroke of quick thinking, if she did say so herself.

“Can you teach me to do that?” Sweetie Belle asked, bouncing on her little hooves impatiently. Rarity put a solid hoof on her little sister’s back, steadying her.

“How about we get back home, and then we can discuss this.” Rarity was as eager to get back to the boutique as Starlight was. She couldn’t really blame the fashionista, it seemed that she didn’t even know what she signed up for. “Let’s move quickly, hmm?” Rarity looked to Starlight, who nodded and motioned for the sisters to lead the way.

The walk to the boutique went absolutely smoothly. No holdups, no attacks, no hindrances. When they finally arrived at the Carousel Boutique, they found out why. Standing outside was Shining Armor, he looked fine except for the arcing turquoise magic coursing along his horn. Other than that, he looked very, very mad.

“What you did back there Glimmer…” The stallion growled out, seemingly doubling his height in a few seconds. Now he towered over the pale pink pony, glaring down at her. “...was impressive.” His voice lightened, and a barely visible smirk crossed his features. “Back-channelling my own magic back at me to disable my horn? I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like that.” The captain slapped Starlight on the back, causing the mare to lurch forward. “I think we might make a guard out of you yet, Glimmer.” He turned to the two white unicorns standing just behind Starlight. “Thank you for your help, ladies. We appreciate it.”

“Oh, it was no problem, Shining Armor. Our pleasure.” Rarity beamed back at the stallion. “If you ever need anything, never hesitate to ask.” Rarity then turned to Starlight. “Do not forget, Darling, you owe me a fitting.” Starlight gulped nervously in reply and nodded. She feared Rarity’s stitching more than she feared Shining. The sisters then went inside of the Boutique, leaving Starlight alone with Shining Armor and Silvershield.

“Sergeant, do you have any observations you would like to report?” That’s what Starlight was dreading, what Silvershield had to say. He had been studying her up close and seeing how she handled the situation on a microscopic level rather than Shining’s rather macroscopic view of events.

“She needs to work on her manner.” The crystal pony stated bluntly. “Interacting with her charge, she had no warmth, only annoyance and concern for time. Other than that, she displayed a deft talent at negotiating and compromise. She persuaded Miss Rarity to speed up by striking a deal, and delayed the incoming storm by making a trade with Miss Dash. Both instances she displayed a patience and understanding of their goals and interests quite well. As you can tell with the spell you caught to the horn, she’s creative in a pinch and a very talented magician.” Every sentence was delivered with such a calm sterility that made Starlight uncomfortable, despite the compliments. They didn’t feel like he was giving opinions, but spitting facts.

“She's very talented, indeed.” Shining Armor parroted. “We can work on the manner later. It takes time to get comfortable in this position.” The tonal shift in Shining’s mannerisms was another shocking thing about today. Starlight had never expected Shining to actually act normal around her, she had expected the drill sergeant facade to stay up at all times. “For now, how about we head back to the castle for lunch? We’ll talk to Twily about the exercise and see what she thinks.”

Starlight nodded and then looked to the sky, basking in the warmth of the sun’s rays before the storm clouds swallowed it up. It felt good, it felt warm and worthwhile. For the first time since she arrived in Ponyville, the whole town felt like home. She felt like a purpose had finally found its way to her.

Then she saw it, flying nonchalantly through the air. Her pupils dilated in fear and her heart seized for a fraction of a second. She couldn’t breathe, her throat was closing up and restricting anything from getting through. Panic had set in, and it was not letting go.

“N-Night Glider…?” That’s who was up there, in the sky. Her midnight blue coat and stark white mane gave it away. She flew towards the center of town, unaware of the unicorn who was below her. That didn’t make Starlight feel any better, though. “N-no, she can’t be here. That’s impossible.”

“Glimmer, are you okay?” A hoof touched her. Who it belonged to, she didn’t know. She didn’t care. For now she was focused on the specter from the past that hung in the air like a Damoclesian reminder of power that once was.

The armor Starlight was wearing had suddenly gotten heavier, much heavier. It made her knees buckle and body ache. Even the sun itself seemed to get brighter and hotter, beating down on her like a raging inferno.

Everything was closing in.

“Starlight…”

That was the final straw, the voice had come back now too, the voice she heard in her previous dream. It’s haunting tones sticking to the air and the inside of Starlight’s head. It was in there now, repeating her own name and taunting her. Starlight couldn’t take it, she couldn’t take another nightmare!

So she ran.