Twinkling Through The Dark

During the course of the day, Starlight, Sunburst and Sunset were spending as much time as possible with each other. And of course, Starlight and Sunburst were also trying to be together in-between all of this. This was the happiest time of their lives, which is not saying much given their pasts.

As midday approached, Starlight and Sunburst were encouraged by Sunset to spend the rest of the day together and both were quite excited as they stayed in town and Sunset started to make her way back to hotel where Starlight’s parents were preparing a surprise birthday party. Meanwhile in the hotel’s main function room, Twilight was helping Starlight’s parents set up her birthday party. This was quite important as it was the Starlight’s first birthday party she ever had since she ran from home. Starlight had never celebrated her birthday’s as it was on her birthday she ran from home and started her decent into darkness and tended instead to lock herself away and cry and cry until the next day.

But it was quite stressful as everypony was trying to keep it a surprise, however Twilight seemed unfazed by it all. “Twilight, how are you so undaunted by this? It’s driving everypony crazy!” Steller said, his mane starting to go on the fritz, but Twilight had everything covered. “I know how stressful this is for you, that’s why I have called for my secret weapon.” Twilight said with sublime confidence. “Secret weapon? I’m confused.” Steller said scratching his head.

“How about you take a rest. You have been at it all day, don’t worry though, I get this place all ready just you wait.” Twilight said as told Steller to have a break. Twilight then turned around and was startled by the unmistakable sound of a party cannon.

“SURPRISE!!! Hey Twilight, I got you this cake, hope you like it…” Pinkie said while appearing around the corner without warning giving Twilight a cake decorated with a sentence saying “Glad you are ok” on it with cake frosting then Pinkie gave her a great big hug, with Twilight trying to keep her composure and managing the pain at the same time.

Twilight then opened her eyes to see that her friends had also travelled with Pinkie. “Girls! I can’t believe that all of you would come! What about your families that you are going to be away from for Hearths Warming?” Twilight said as she could not understand why her friends would be away from their families, especially at this time of year.

“Twi, I can understand where you are coming from, but you are considered family to us and you need us more right now.” Applejack stated as she took off her hat. Applejack understood, probably more than any pony the importance of family and thought this was the best idea.

“Besides darling, everypony understands what you went through and they all agreed that this was the best thing to do, besides, it would have been you that would have spent Hearth’s Warming without your family.” Rarity said while placing her hoof on Twilight’s chest. And the other’s nodded in agreement. Twilight then telekinetically grabbed her friends and hugged them while tearing up.

“Where’s Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked. “Unloading all of Rarity’s luggage….” Applejack said with an exasperated sigh. “What? I just got prepared that’s all Applejack.” Rarity said as Rainbow and Fluttershy came in with loads of luggage bags. “Prepared for what? A fashion show?” Rainbow said in a deadpan tone. “One never knows darling.” Rarity said with sublime confidence as Applejack and Rainbow both face-hooved themselves.

“Um, Twilight, are you going to be ok to go home soon?” Fluttershy said, breaking the sudden silence. “Not right now for there is some ponies that need my help first and I need yours if I am going to be successful.” Twilight said asking for help from her friends. “Oh, sure Twilight. Just who needs help?” Fluttershy said as Evernight came in with a dining cart full of cutlery, cups, plates, and bowls and was clearly under stress with her mane all over the place. “Twilight! There you are, some ponies came into reception and I’m struggling to juggle serving them and getting this all set up plus the cooking and um, why are the new arrivals in here?” Evernight said as she was one step away from a nervous breakdown.

“I’m assuming that’s one of the ponies you want us to help Twilight?” Rainbow said. “Of course she needs help, just look at her mane!” Rarity said as she gasped at Evernight’s frazzled appearance. “Twilight, if you like me to I can make her an herbal tea that can get her to relax.” Fluttershy said with Twilight nodding in agreement and Fluttershy went to put a kettle on before coming back and asking where the kitchen was with a sheepish smile and blushing in embarrassment.

“It’s the fourth door to your right.” Twilight said and Fluttershy went to the kitchen. After a few minutes Evernight began to calm down enough for Twilight to introduce Evernight to her friends. “You have got quite a lovely hotel here Evernight. I have been to a few myself but not one with this much beauty both inside and out.” Fluttershy said complementing Evernight on her business and its location.

“Twilight here wasn’t kidding that this was a hard place to get to. Even flying here was a struggle, even for a Wonderbolt like myself, and that is saying something.” Rainbow said which is quite rare for her to say that something was a physical challenge. But for Evernight it was more of the fact that Twilight was friends with one of Equestria’s best fliers. “Wait, you’re a WONDERBOLT!” Evernight said in shock.

“Yep she sure is. Now hold still, I can’t fix your mane if you are moving.” Rarity said while she was getting Evernight’s mane in order. “Thank you Rarity. I knew planning a party is hard, especially a surprise party, but this…. this is so important to get perfect…” Evernight said as she began to hyperventilate.

“Don’t you worry Evernight, if there is one thing Pinkie Pie knows how to do best is planning and organising parties!” Rainbow said as Pinkie’s eyes lit up as she rush over and asked what Evernight needed and what needed be done. Evernight handed over her checklist. “No problem Evernight, this party will go just as you wanted.” Pinkie said with a somewhat serious face. “You’re sure you could handle it?” Evernight asked Pinkie, clearly not knowing what she was capable of. “Can handle it? I’m the best party organiser in all of Equestria! I can handle it for sure you silly pony!” Pinkie said while giving a small giggle. “You promise that everything will be alright?” Evernight asked and Pinkie did her movements for the Pinkie Promise complete with an actual cupcake to her eye.

“All right now Miss Evernight, let’s get this surprise party ready for, um who is this party for anyway sugarcube?” Applejack said before asking who the party was for. “Oh it’s for my daughter’s birthday.” Evernight answered. “That’s so sweet! What’s her name darling? For it sounds like she’s the most wonderful pony in all of Equestria by the sounds of it.” Rarity asked, touched by the effort Evernight was putting in. “Starlight Glimmer.” Evernight said with the girls having blank expressions of shock on their faces, except Twilight.

“Am I hearing things right? You’re Starlight’s mother?” Applejack asked as she pointed her hoof at Evernight. Rarity could only give out moan and Fluttershy was covering her mouth with her hooves. “Twi, she aren’t serious, is she?” Rainbow said only to be given a glare from Twilight and that was enough to get her answer.

“All five of you know Starlight? How did you all meet her?” Evernight asked with the girls staring off into space to try and avoid the question except for Pinkie. “Well, the map called us to this village where she enslaved all of the ponies there, took their cutie marks, including ours, then she lock us into a room where she tried to brainwash us and…” Pinkie went on before Twilight intervened. “PINKIE!” Twilight shouted at Pinkie for talking too much. “What? That’s what happened and don’t get me started on the whole time loop thing you went through….” Pinkie continued with now everypony giving her a death glare and it was now that Pinkie stopped talking. “What she meant to say darling is that it wasn’t the best introduction.” Rarity said trying to downplay what Pinkie said.

“She was very petty, insensitive, and rude, had no concept of personal space, and tended to throw temper tantrums like she had the maturity of a foal…” Rainbow went on like Pinkie had done. “RAINBOW DASH!!” Applejack calling Rainbow out on her tactlessness this time. “What? She was, but she has gotten a lot better, spare that time she brainwashed us to do those friendship lessons.” Rainbow said with Applejack giving her a strong death glare.

Evernight had her ears drooped back and looking down in shame for what Starlight had done just made her feel like a terrible mother more and more, and as she began to cry, Applejack came over. “Don’t look so sad sugarcube. Sure we all had a bad start with her, but she really turned herself around.” Applejack standing next to Evernight trying to reassure her. “She really has become such a good pony now, even saving us and all of Equestria from Queen Chrysalis.” Fluttershy said along with Applejack, being the only two ponies to fully speak positively about Starlight. “Now if some ponies would be so kind and apologise to Miss Evernight here for being so tactless!” Applejack said with an angry look towards Rainbow and Pinkie.

“Sorry about all that, just was speaking the truth. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Rainbow said with Pinkie crying and giving Evernight an ‘apology cake’. She questioned where Pinkie got the cake from but Twilight said to not really question it. “Pinkie, can you help set up the party decorations and the baking?” Twilight asked before Pinkie smiled and ran off to the kitchen. “Applejack could you also help in the kitchen and sort out the catering?” Twilight asked Applejack. “You can count on me Twi!” Applejack answered. “Rarity, could you help me get Starlight a present?” Twilight asked Rarity. “Of course darling, and maybe I could touch it up a bit if you would like?” Rarity said as she was always looking to add a personal touch to any clothing.

“Rainbow and Fluttershy, could you keep a lookout for Starlight? So that they don’t come back too early?” Twilight asked the two pegasi. “You can count on us Twilight, come on Fluttershy!” Rainbow said as she started to push Fluttershy out of the room. “But you two cannot be seen, for it may spoil the surprise.” Twilight said. Before Rainbow and Fluttershy left the room, Sunset trotted in. “Um Twilight, are you still here?” Sunset said before noticing her friend’s pony counterparts also in the room. “Um, Twi, what is going on here?” Applejack said starting to get confused.

“Oh, I was going to tell you later on about Sunset being here, but now’s a good time as any. Twilight said and then she explained why Sunset was here as well. “Whoa Twi, you have been one busy pony haven’t you.” Applejack said shocked that Twilight could accomplish so much AND being on the mend at the same time. “Sure it’s been tough, but it’s also been worth it.” Twilight responded.

“Anyway, Twilight would you like me to do anything before I head home and get ready for tonight?” Sunset asked. “Actually, yes. Could you keep Starlight away from here for as long as possible and out of sight of me and Rarity so we can help set up?” Twilight asked. “That might be a tough one as they have already covered half of the town, but I’ll try my best” Sunset remarked. “On second thought Twilight, could I help out here instead? I’m not that good at hiding…” Fluttershy said and Twilight agreed and so everypony went on with their tasks.

Meanwhile on the edge of the village, Starlight and Sunburst were checking out all of the best views of the village and the surrounding countryside and in the process, recalling all of the best moments of their foal hood. “This tree looks familiar?” Starlight said while placing her hoof on her chin and Sunburst could only mumble as this was the place where Starlight first used a levitation spell… on Sunburst… and placed him on the top of the tree, much to the young colt’s dismay.

While in town, Sunburst bought a picnic set and started to set up everything. Starlight had no clue and was touched. “Sunburst, you didn’t have to do this for me. We could have had something back in the vill….” Starlight said before she was cut off by Sunburst’s hoof placed on her mouth. “I know we could have, but up here we’ll be alone and we can enjoy this wonderful view together.” Sunburst explained then Starlight hugged him and thanked him for all of the effort he’d put in just to make her happy when she felt that it ought to be her putting the effort in to make him happy after what had happened.

Sunburst started to feel the unease in Starlight’s body language. “Is what happened last night still bothering you Starlight?” Sunburst asked with Starlight lowering her head and her ears drooping back. “Yes, yes it is.” Starlight answered with Sunburst coming right next to her and putting his right foreleg on Starlight’s back. “What is it? I know you feel guilty of what you did, which is completely normal but there is something else, is there?” Sunburst asked and Starlight took a couple of deep breaths before she started.

“It’s how easily forgiven I have been is what’s bothering me. I know it’s the right thing to do is to forgive ponies for their mistakes but after everything that I did, not just what I did to you but to the village, and to the timeline, I felt that I could not be forgiven for my actions. I felt that I needed to be punished for my petty actions and when Twilight and her friends forgave me and offered me an apprenticeship under the princess I just was dumbfounded.”

“I went into that throne room expecting to be imprisoned in Tartarus, or Twilight, or any of the princesses to execute me. I felt that the latter option was the most likely as I felt too dangerous to be kept alive. And when they didn’t do anything of the sort, it left me so unprepared for what was to come. To do all of what I did and not suffer any consequences almost broke me. For the first few weeks in Ponyville I didn’t go out, out of fear that the towns ponies would judge me for what I did.” Starlight recalling her thoughts about being forgiven for what she had done. “Well, did they?” Sunburst asked.

“THEY DID!!!! I don’t know how, or when but they found out about everything and avoided me completely. Being left on my own terrified me! After everything that happened here, I was on my own for the better half of 10 years, cold, alone, living hoof to mouth until I ‘founded’ that village. I was physically not alone, but I still felt alone and when Twilight and her friends freed the town, those fears and pain came back and they come back hard. It was three to four months or so before we reunited that the pain was so intense that I… that I…” Starlight went on with tears flowing from her face, but from Sunburst’s as well. Hearing all of this was digging at his emotions. But it was about to get worse for him as Starlight continued.

“…that I decided that I would rather take my own life rather keep suffering like this. I felt that I had no other choice and the only reason I’m alive now is that Twilight caught me in the act and stopped me.” Starlight said as she slumped onto the quilt and sobbed and sobbed as she recalled her darkest moments of her life. Sunburst was at a loss of words. He could not believe what he was hearing but fully understanding what Starlight went through was destroying him emotionally and was on the verge of a mental breakdown himself. “Even now, I’m still visiting the Royal Canterlot Mental Hospital every so often and I will defiantly need to stop by again after all of this. Now… now you know Sunburst… Sunburst?” Starlight finished as she got back up, only to see her colt-friend curled up and crying and sobbing.

“Sunburst, I’m sorry! I didn’t meant to drive you to tears!” Starlight said as she rubbed his back. Then Sunburst spoke up. “What have I done!? How could I have done this to you! I know you think that you are a monster, but… but… WHAT KIND OF FRIEND AM I THAT WOULD DO THIS TO YOU!!!?” Sunburst screamed out at the top of his lungs as he sobbed. Then he felt being lifted up and turned around only to see Starlight’s tearful eyes. He begged to her to stop crying as he absolutely hated to see her so upset.

“I know how deeply you blame yourself for what happened between us. I know how much you want to fix this. But writing to me every week, visiting every time you get an opportunity and even risking your own life to help mine just proves to me that you are the most dedicated, loyal and compassionate pony I could have ever known and I’m so fortunate to have.” Starlight said as she hugged Sunburst and then whispered in his ear; “And also the most handsome stallion I’ve ever known.” Starlight added on.

“If you would like it, I could take you in to see my physiatrist to help you get over your guilt. He’s great his job and…” Starlight offered to Sunburst for him to come and get help but before she could finish, Sunburst pulled her in and started to kiss her. Starlight just closed her eyes and let this moment sink in. After what seemed like an eternity, Sunburst stopped and placed his hoof on Starlight’s cheek and accepted the offer. The two ponies then comforted each other and watching the beautiful surroundings before them.

Down in the village, Rarity and Twilight were agonising what to get Starlight for her birthday. They eventually settled on a new heavy coat as Starlight’s was a bit tattered and worn. Rarity began to inspect all of the most dazzling coats out there and started to ask which one Starlight would like the most. But Twilight knew that Starlight liked simplicity and function over style as much as possible and it started to look like Rarity was looking for coats that she would want and completely missing the point of why they were there in the first place. Then Twilight noticed a black coat with a hood, grey woollen edging and good insulation and thought this would do nicely and picked one for unicorns.

“Rarity, how about this? Plus it’s in the right size too!” Twilight asked but the white unicorn had, well a few words to say about it but one of her main points against it in her opinion was that it’s was a coat for stallions. Twilight didn’t see what the big deal about it was. Rarity, well she did not take it well. “Darling, seriously? You can’t be serious, it’s a huge deal! You can’t have a mare dress in stallions clothing! She has to stand out and be admired for what she has.” Rarity said but Twilight just raised an eyebrow.

“Firstly, this is for Starlight, not you. Second, like me, she is more function over style. Just look at these, they have so little insulation that they can barely keep you warm and the ones that would keep you warm as well as this would you would be paying over 1000 bits for it! This coat is ten times cheaper, but it will keep her warm and it’s simple! Starlight likes simplicity and she definitely does not like to stand out! When was the last time you made clothes for her?” Twilight argued, Rarity said that Starlight had never asked her for a new outfit more than once. Sensing that she was not going to win this argument, Rarity lamented. “Ok, but could I at least put a streak on it with her mane colours and her cutie mark on the flank so it looks at least a little more feminine?” Rarity said trying to strike a compromise. Twilight agreed and then they left the shop trying to not be noticed by Starlight but it seemed that Rainbow and Sunset were doing a good job.