Twinkling Star in the Night Sky

by Tigerishbook

Rating: teen
Tags: Sad, Romance, Fluttershy, Original Character, Adventure, Discord, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 6620

Set in the BoD Universe. When Twinkle abruptly renters Zany, Applespike, and Jewel’s lives, they learn of a power Twinkle has been keeping hidden for 15 years. Now, they must help her overcome a problem that may keep one of them stuck in a nightmare.

Twinkle has been sent to Canterlot the day after earning her cutie mark, an event that curiously happened at the same time and in the same way that Zany had gotten his mark. She is taken out of the lives of her two friends and Zany, who doesn’t mind her being gone even if he feels a nagging feeling deep inside him that he’s missing her.
Seven years later, and 15 year old Zany meets a pretty unicorn on the train station who ends up being Twinkle in disguise. What he doesn’t know, however, is that she’s hiding a secret that isn’t as harmless as she first intends. And with an upcoming Gala, this may be the worst time for Twinkle to share her secret.

All canon characters and settings belong to @Hasbro and most fanmade characters and settings belong to @DisneyFanatic2364.

Published 2019-02-01 12:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2019-05-01 00:14:57 UTC

Fight With Equal Rewards

Chapter 1: Fight With Equal Rewards

It had been a year since the marriage of Mothball and Screwball, and everything was moving smoothly. Of course, Discord still didn’t like Mothball very much, and he, even then, was reminded of what had been. Zany, now six, as opposed to five, went to kindergarten and was sort of like Screwball. He didn’t pay too much attention in class, though he did understand vaguely what was going on, but he spent much more time playing with friends. Screwball would help him if we was having trouble in class, most oftenly due to the fact that he did not have much attention towards the class and rather towards his friends. If not Screwball, then his mother. Even then, he’d rather not be at school.

Jewel and Applespike usually came over to the Castle of Chaos, and the three loved to joke around all the time.

They would play game after game, eat meal after meal, have the times of their lives, and Zany loved it.

Except when Twinkle came over.

“Zany,” Fluttershy would say, “Aunt Twilight is coming over with Twinkle.”

“Ugh! Why her? Why not Applespike? Or Jewel? She’s so annoying and always complains!” Zany whined.

“Now, let’s not get rude. Twinkle and her mother are very friendly ponies.” Fluttershy told her son.

“Fine. But she better be ready for my newest weapon- the marshmallow.” Zany said mischievously.

“And no fighting.” Fluttershy told him, hearing what he had just said.

“Ugh.” Zany moaned.

Zany did not understand why Twinkle kept coming over. She obviously hated him and he obviously hated her. The truth is, Discord, Screwball, and Mothball also didn’t know and Fluttershy’s reason wasn’t great.

“Why do you keep on bringing Twinkle over?” Discord asked his wife.

“Yeah, Mom. I like having Auntie Twilight over, but why do you keep on trying to get Twinkle and Zany to be friends?” Screwball agreed.

“I don’t get why you’d keep doing this. It’s not going anywhere.” Mothball added.

“Well, I think you three see two foals throwing giant death lasers at each other and teleporting each other on the other side of Equestria, but what I see is a couple in the making.” Fluttershy would always respond.

No matter how hard they tried to either get Twinkle and Zany to like each other of Fluttershy to stop bringing Twinkle over, Twinkle kept on coming and Zany always hated it. He always much preferred his misadventures with Applespike and Jewel.

One day, Twinkle and Zany were once again having a magic duel.

“I can create so much chaos that you’ll be in so much shock that you’re wings will pop right off and you’ll just be a regular old unicorn like your mom used to be.” Zany said.

“So you’re actually gonna do some magic? Prove it.” Twinkle said.

“Ok, then, Twinkle Toes.” Zany replied.

He used his magic to make the entire room they were in turn into a mini version of the town and they were sucked inside it. Once there, everything was the same, so Zany teleported them to the mini version of the Castle if Chaos to the room that the two were in to find another version, an even tinier version of the model of Ponyville. He sucked them into that model and took them to an even smaller version of the model where they were sucked in and kept on continuing to go from one model to a Ponyville to another model to another Ponyville. Every Ponyville was more chaotic than the last.

“I… think… that’s enough.” Twinkle finally said.

“Okay, then.” Zany happily said before teleporting then to the normal world.

“Phew!” Twinkle said.

“So,” Zany asked, “Can you beat that?”

“Well, yeah.” Twinkle boasted.

She then blasted a laser that was actually a transfiguration spell and when it hit the floor of the room, the entire room enlarged and a grove of jungle trees sprung out of the now grassy ground. She had turned the room into a small section of jungle.

Even Twinkle seemed surprised.

“See?” She said.

“Well, that’s good, I’ll admit,” Zany said, “But it’ll never be as good as my powers!”

“You wish!” Twinkle replied.

Zany then used his magic to turn the room to its original state.

“Well, can you beat this?” He asked as he teleported them both to town.

“Um, yeah, Zany,” Twinkle replied dumbly, “I can teleport, you know.”

“Well I’m not done!”he said as he walked up in front of a cafe and used his magic on it.

When the flash was over, Twinkle looked over at the cafe to see it looked the exact same.

“Huh?” Zany asked, confused as well, “I didn’t mean to do that! I meant to-“

“Zany!” Twinkle scolded.

“Huh?” Zany turned to her.

Twinkle pointer to two ponies arguing. They had previously been happily talking at their outdoor seats above their food. Now, they were fighting and feuding.

“Why would you do that?” Twinkle asked.

“I… I didn’t mean to!” Zany replied.

“You caused chaos and made these two ponies fight! A lot of the other stuff you’ve done hasn’t been that bad, but… but this, you’ve gone too far, Zany!” Twinkle scolded.

“I-“ Zany said, but before he could finish, Twinkle flew to the arguing ponies.

She began trying to resolve their conflict and eventually did so.

Suddenly, there was a huge flash again and everything returned to normal.

“Twinkle-“ Zany said.

“Yeah?” Twinkle said angrily, not even turning around to face him.

“You… uh… got something on your flank.” Zany tried to word his sentence.

“Huh?” Twinkle eagerly said before staring down at her flank to see a little picture of a shooting star, a pink diamond shaped star with a turquoise trail behind it.

It was sparkling while sparkles around it as well.

She turned to Zany happily and gasped.

“You got yours too!” She squealed.

Excited, yet confused, Zany asked, “What?” before staring at his flank to see he was no longer a blank flank.

Instead, there was a black hypnotic spiral, indicating chaos.

Twinkle got on the ground and started squealing, “We got our marks! We got our marks!”

Then, the two races towards each other for a hug, when Discord appeared.

The two stopped, expecting a harsh lecturing, but it never came.

“Oh, my little boy has his cutie mark! Dad’s so proud!” He said happily, grabbing Zany and Twinkle, one in each arm.

“Oh, and the little princess got hers too. Lovely.” Discord said with less enthusiasm.

“You know I’m not your daughter, right?” Twinkle asked.

“Oh yes, I know,” Discord said, “But your mother best know anyways. And yours too, Zany”

Immediately, Discord snapped his claw and Fluttershy and Twilight appeared at their location.

“I… what happened?” Twilight asked before seeing Discord, “Oh. You.”

“Hi, sweetie. What are you doing out here? For that matter, what are Zany and Twinkle here? And what are we doing here?” Fluttershy told her husband.

“We’re all here for a big announcement.” Discord said, still hugging the two foals.

“That is?” Twilight asked unenthusiastically.

“Don’t act so bitter, Princess,” Discord said, releasing both Zany and Twinkle from his grip, the two falling to the ground, “You’re daughter’s gotten her cutie mark!”

“What?” Twilight asked.

“Well, yeah.” Twinkle said, walking over to her mother.

“Oh my gosh!” Twilight said when she noticed the cutie mark now on her daughter, “I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks, Mom.” Twinkle replied.

“Oh,” Discord said to his wife, “Did I mention that our son has his cutie mark, too?”

“No,” Fluttershy said, upset, before suddenly turning happy, “But that’s great news! Our little son has his mark! What is it?”

Zany showed his cutie mark to his mother.

“Oh, a little spiral! Like your handsome red eyes and your sister’s pretty pink ones.” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah. I think it represents chaos and the chaotic abilities I have and what I could do with them.” Zany said.

“It’s so symbolic! I love it!” Fluttershy said.

“I think Twinkle’s has to do with magic. Could I take Twinkle to Canterlot, even just for a little while, so that if I’m right, she could Perdue magic with the help of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?” Twilight asked Fluttershy.

“Sure.” Fluttershy said, slightly disappointed.

“Then we’ll have the cute-ceañera tomorrow then I’ll leave to Canterlot with Twinkle!” Twilight said, very upbeat.

Author's Note

Only the story concept belongs to me. All canon characters and settings belong to @Hasbro. All fanmade characters and settings belong to @DisneyFanatic2364.

Anyways, I’ve already posted this on another fanfiction website, but I would still like to hear feedback. Please tell me what you think about this story.

Cute-Ciñera for Two

Chapter 2: Cute-Ciñera for Two

Before Twilight and Twinkle could head off to Canterlot, Twilight knew it was right for her daughter to have her cute-ceñera in Ponyville. Twinkle was okay with this, except for the fact that because Zany and her got their cutie marks at the same time, they were to have the same cute-ceñera at the same place. Although she was unhappy with this, she already had a plan- to stay as far away from Zany as possible.

The two foals had gotten their cutie marks so abruptly and out of nowhere that everypony though that their cute-ceñera would have to be the next day, but somehow Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich managed to have everything ready within the blink of an eye. With their Party Palace ready, the cute-ceñera was held there.

Twinkle was in a little pink dress that, at the top, was a full magenta color, with little shooting stars around the ends. After that, the dress was partially transparent, so that her cutie mark could be seen. The area of the dress with the wing holes matched the little alicorn’s wings well. She got to the cute-ceñera a few minutes before Zany did, which meant she got to have some peace with Jewel and Applespike.

She planned just to casually trot over to them, but as soon as her two best friends saw her, they ran over to her to attack her with a hug.

“You’re so lucky to have your cutie mark already!” Jewel said.

“Ah don’t have a clue what mine’ll be, but you’ve already found yours out!” Applespike added.

Twinkle giggled. “Thank you, guys. But I’m sure you will both get your cutie marks when the time is right.”

“Hey, how come you got yours at the same time as Zany?” Jewel wondered out loud, pulling away from her friend while Applespike did the same.

“I’m not sure, actually.” Twinkle replied.

“Is it because you like him?” Jewel asked teasingly.

Twinkle suddenly blushed out of reflex. “I- what?! Why- why in Equestria would make such a- a rash assumption?!”

Apple spike and Jewel giggled.

Applespike told his embarrassed friend, “We meant nothing. It's just so fun… matchmakin’. And with you and Zany catchin’ Screwball’s flower bouquet at ‘er weddin’, it just makes it so much easier. But really, Twinkle, we were just doin’ some good ol’ fashion teasin’ on our friend who… just got’her cutie mark!”

“Yeah! I mean, teasing ponies who we think like each other is an exciting activity, but know I really mean nothing of it.” Jewel added.

“... Alright…” Twinkle said, suspicious of her friends’ kind behavior, “And… uh… why are you two being so nice to me? Apologizing, being friendly…”

“Sorry if that bothers you. I usually act friendly on special occasions, both because I want to look friendly to who that celebration is for, and also so my kind behavior can be rewarded by desserts.” Jewel told her friend.

All three giggled. Suddenly, they heard a voice near them. “You two having fun without me?”

Applespike was the first to answer. “Yeah. You were late, though.”

“Excuses, excuses. It was Mothy that took forever freaking out because he had never been to a double cute-ciñera. He got so worked up that we had to go see Aunt Scootaloo to get him to realize that cute-ciñeras were nothing to worry about. Of course, the hardest part of the whole situation was convincing Mothy to go from the house… err… castle to Aunt Scootaloo’s.” Zany casually responded.

“Wow. If he was that freaked out about a double cute-ciñera, he would not have lasted The Rainboom.” Jewel responded.

“I know, right!” Zany said, “But it wasn't as bad as the first cute-ciñera he ever went to. Let's just say it had to do with ponies who all ended up out cold with cider, five party cannons, and a toothbrush.”Zany replied.

“Ooh! Can ah hear that one?” Applespike excitedly asked.

Then, Applespike, Jewel, and Zany headed over to the food table, leaving Twinkle to herself.

What just happened?, Twinkle thought, Zany just came over and took my friends away! Well, I guess they're his friends too, but that gives him no right to interru-

“Hello, sweetheart.” A voice said.

“Eek!” Twinkle yelped before turning around to see her mother, Princess Twilight Sparkle, standing there. “Uh… hi, mom.”

“I'm sorry if I scared you. I just wanted to celebrate you for your new cutie mark.” Twilight said.

“Haven't you already told me this forty-seven times? Twelve lectures, seven congratulatory hugs and conversations, twenty-eight times of you just congratulating me, and two times when you spent forever trying to figure out why Zany and I got our cutie marks at the same time.” Twinkle replied.

“Yeah,” Twilight Sparkle told her daughter, “But I really want you to know that you're special, especially on such a special event. Getting a cutie mark is like finding yourself. Your true self. And I want to make sure you know you feel important on one of the most important days of your life. You see, a cutie mark-”

“Woah, Mom,” Twinkle responded, “No need to go into lecture mode. You can do that when we get home.”

“Fine. Just… happy cute-ciñera.” Twilight said before leaving to talk with the rest of her friends.

Though Twilight was long out of earshot by the time Twinkle responded, she still said, “Thanks, Mom.”

Twinkle, now alone, headed to the area of the Party Palace where an abundance of noise could be heard. When she arrived, she found that this was the party games section, where everypony was happily playing with their friends and family.

Twinkle thought her entrance, the entrance of the Princess of Friendship’s daughter, who just got her cutie mark, would cause some attention. After all, this was her cute-ciñera. But she did not get any attention at all, for no pony had noticed her. They continued to play games, continued to have fun without notice of a Princess.

In fact, they seemed more interested in watching Jewel, Applespike, and Zany play all the games. She noticed the trio playing game after game together and everypony else was cheering them on.

Of course. Leave it to Zany to steal all of Twinkle’s friends away from her.

“Uh… hi, everypony.” Twinkle said. No pony heard.

“Hello, everypony.” Twinkle said sternly and louder. Still, she was not heard.

“Everypony. I am here. Hello.” Twinkle said with a generally loud voice, again to no avail.

“Sweet Celestia, listen to me!” Twinkle yelled.

Suddenly, they all looked at her. A couple of them said hello before resuming to loudly watching the Chaotic Three.

“Now, now, let’s not ignore her. Miss Princess Twinkle Toes didn’t yell at us for no reason, we would assume. Am I correct, ponies?” Zany said in a teasing manner.

The ponies watching the trio nodded in agreement as the three headed over to Twinkle.

“I do have a reason for yelling,” Twinkle said, trying to compose herself, “The daughter of the Princess of Friendship does not yell like that for no reason.”

“Well then, what is it?” Jewel asked.

Twinkle suddenly snapped. “None of you ponies would listen to me! I tried to get your attention! Apparently you ponies are way more caught up in Zany’s annoying shenanigans than anything else!”

Applespike soon responded, “Yellin’ like that wasn’t necessary for that kinda situation. We just couldn’t hear ya.”

“Well, it does bother a pony when her own friends aren’t listening to her because they’re hanging out with Zany.” Twinkle said angrily, putting emphasis on Zany’s name.

“Hey, it wasn’t my fault that everypony here was interested in my cutie mark. It is my cute-ciñera.” Zany countered, trotting over to Twinkle.

“It’s my cute-ciñera too, you know.” Twinkle replied.

“Yeah, but you’re the youngest pony here who is a child of an Element of Harmony.” Zany said.

“Hey!” Twinkle responded in anger, “You’re not very old yourself!”

“Yeah, but I have lots of friends and you’re Twinkle Toes, the Princess of Friendship’s daughter, with two good, close friends. I have way more friends. And here I am, a draconequus hybrid, with so many close buddies.” Zany told the alicorn.

“Yeah? How many ‘close buddies’ do you have? You really don’t have to name all of them, just… uh…. how about seven?” Twinkle asked.

“I… uh… well, there’s Applespike, and Jewel, and.... The Smooze, and.... uh… Mothball-”

“He’s your brother-in-law. He doesn’t count.”

“Oh. Okay. And… there’s Moonbeam…”

“You haven’t seen her in 17 months.”

“The Tri-Pies?”

“You never hang out with them personally.”

“Uh… Cinnamon Roll?”

“Really? She’s like 12 years older than you and you barely ever see each other.”

“Uh… I give up.”

“And my point has been proven.”

“It wasn’t really you’re point, actually,” Jewel said, “Just Zany picking up a fight with his crush.”

The whole group of ponies there giggled.

Zany began angry, the tips of his brows turning down, eyes burning with fury, his grey fur turning red both in anger and embarrassment.

“I. Do Not. Have. A. Crush. On that petty, annoying, puny princess.” Zany grumbled.

The crowd just giggled more.

“I’m just saying. No reason to get worked up.” Jewel responded.

“You know, jokes like that aren’t funny.” Zany said.

“And ‘ere Ah though you were a pony who loves jokes.” Applespike replied.

“Well, not jokes like this!” Zany said.

“Okay, okay. Ah’m sorry.” Applespike said.

Before Zany could respond, the group of ponies could hear Pinkie Pie’s loud voice echoing throughout the Party Palace. “The hay burgers are ready! Get ‘em while they're hot!”

All of the ponies raced to the kitchen/ dining room area to get their fresh hay burgers at the sound of this.

The foals dug into their hayburgers, though as soon as Twinkle But into hers, she gagged, feeling a something in her throat. When she used her magic to grab the object, she saw a yellow, shiny object in her magical grasp.

“What the hay is this?” Twinkle asked, inspecting the object.

Zany began to giggle from across the table. “Well, you’re cutie mark is a shooting star so I put some of a shooting star in your hayburger.”

“You put a shooting star in my hayburger?!” Twinkle asked in shock.

“Nah. It’s just shiny mustard.” Zany said.

“Shiny mustard? Where the hay did ya find shiny mustard?” Applespike asked.

“Restaurant across the street.” Zany casually replied.

“Ah.”

“What’s the big deal? Are you two trying to poison me?!” Twinkle asked angrily.

“No. Just having a good time.” Zany said.

“Well you’re ruining my good time!” Twinkle replied.

“Somepony’s jealous.” Zany said teasingly.

“I am not jealous!” The young alicorn replied.

“You want everything at your cute-ciñera, which is not what I’m doing. I’m just having a good time with my best friends. It’s not me that wants everything perfect. It’s you. Of course, I should have really expected that from the Princess of Friendship’s daughter. You’re just like her, anyways. Orderly, neat, annoying, petty, and oh-so boring.” Zany told her.

Applespike spoke up. “Uh… Zan- Zany, ya sounded a bit, well, ya know, too angry at Princess Twilight.” He received a death glare, “I mean, no offense, but uh, maybe tone it down when you are talkin’ bad about royalty? It makes ya sound… I dunno, like your dad?”

“What… do you mean?” Zany asked very questioningly with some anger in his tone.

“I don’t mean to cause any anger, but, when you- when you talk bad about a princess in that way, ya know, like that, ya sound like… you sound like your father. Before he was reformed.” Applespike stuttered to get the words out.

“Are you… calling me a monster?” Zany asked, anger in his voice.

“Now, let’s not all start fighting and ruining all of our friendships,” Jewel said, “I don’t believe Applespike was trying to hurt you, Zany. There’s no need to jump to conclusions. And monster may be a bit much.”

“But… he did… he did say I was like my father.” Zany said.

“Ah’m tryna warn ya! Ah don’t want ya to get upset! Your still my best friend! Ah’m not tryna hurt any feelins!”

“Well you are, mean it or not!”

Jewel cut in again. “I’m not quite sure how a small argument against Twinkle and Zany may have turned into a huge fight between best friends, but something that I do know is that this fight accomplishes nothing. I really don’t mean to interrupt, but maybe it would be best if we all stopped fighting.”

“Stopped fighting?” I don’t think I’m done with hi-” Zany began.

“Really. I mean it. This is a special day, isn’t it? Zany did just get his cutie mark. So did Twinkle.” Jewel said.

Everypony turned to Twinkle, who had been watching all this drama fold out in shock.

“Maybe,” Jewel said, “We could just enjoy the fact that two amazing ponies just got their cutie marks.”

Zany rolled his eyes. “Fine.”

“Sure.” Applespike said in annoyance.

“Perfect!” Jewel said happily, “Now let’s all get back to eating!”

Rarity, who was in the other room, had heard her daughter trying to break the fight.

“I never knew she was so good at saving friendships.” the proud mother told the rest of the Elements of Harmony and their husbands.

After some more playing around and general mayhem, the group settle down and ponies began heading home.

“Fun day, wasn’t it?” Asked Jewel.

“Yeah,” Twinkle said, “Except for when Zany ’accidentally’ hit a basketball on my head.”

“Aw! He didn’t mean to do it!” Jewel responded.

“Of course he did. He’s Zany.” Twinkle told her best friend.

“Well, are you ready to go to Canterlot?” the young daughter of Rarity asked.

“Maybe.” said Twinkle, “I mean, it’ll be fun and everything, and there will be so many books, but I just am worried I won’t see you very much.”

“I know. I’ll try to see you as much as possible, though. You won’t have to worry about anything.” Jewel responded.

“What if… what if I don’t see you or Applespike for another few years? You two are my only two friends in all of Equestria, even if I’m the daughter of the Princess of Friendship.” Twinkle told the unicorn.

“I’ll try to see you. I don’t want to have to say goodbye, but your mom knows what’s best for you. You’re leaving tomorrow, anyways, I suppose. Not today.” Jewel said.

“Yeah, I suppose I should wait until tomorrow to begin saying my goodbyes to you all.” Twinkle decided.

“Good. I was saving all my tears for later anyways.” Jewel said before hugging her best friend.

Author's Note

It’s been four months. I know it’s been four months. I am ashamed that it has been four months. Turns out balancing school, an audio drama, and a fanficiton you’re planning on making 18+ chapters long is more difficult than I thought. I hope it’ll be smooth sailing from here, but we can only hope. And man, do I hope.

Anyways, chapter 2. It seems a little slow because I was trying to capture what the lives of the young Chaotic Four are like. Slow chapters are slow to make. I hit snags multiple times before I found a working storyline. Writing is hard. But I love it anyways, and that’s what matters. Expect for the next chapter to take less than four months to come out. That’s what I’m doing anyways.

To Canterlot

Chapter 3: To Canterlot

“Do you really have to go?” Jewel asked her friend.

“Yes. I do.” Twinkle sadly replied.

“Just a little longer!” Applespike pleaded.

“No, you two! I can’t stay!” Twinkle said.

“But you’re my friend!” Jewel said.

“I’m sorry, Jewel. I have to go.” Twinkle responded.

The three and their families all stood on the railroad platform, ready for Twilight Sparkle and her six year old daughter to go to Canterlot.

“But… we may not see you for a couple o’ years!” Applespike said.

“Listen. I’m sorry I have to go. But my mother knows what’s best for me. If she says we have to go to Canterlot, that means that we are going to Canterlot. I highly respect my mother, not just as a princess, but as a mother.” Twinkle said.

“Aww,” Zany said with sarcasm whilst leaning on the building, “The little Princess is saying goodbye. Aren’t we all so sad.”

“Jeez, Zany. Didn’t have to be so mean.” Twinkle responded.

“What? It’s one of my specialties.” Zany said before trotting over.

“Look, Zany, one of your friends is leaving and you should have something nice to say.” Jewel told the half draconequus.

“What? That Twinkle Toes is leaving? How is that a bad thing?” Zany asked.

“It’s better than your attitude, for starters.” Applespike said.

“Wow, best friend. Way to be on my side.” Zany said sarcastically.

“Honestly, if there’s one thing I’m excited about,” Twinkle said to Jewel, “It’s getting away from that jerk.”

“I heard~ that!” Zany said with anger and yet still a sing-song voice.

“You were supposed to hear that!” Twinkle said.

“Look, I don’t want ya to head off to that big city!” Applespike said.

“Yeah! You belong in Ponyville! That’s where you’re friends are!” Jewel added.

“I have to go. I respect my mother and her opinion. I’m sorry.” Twinkle said.

“Oh? Always one to listen to Mommy?” Zany teased.

“Zany!” Twinkle said in anger.

“Hey, petty princess. Jeez. One to get angry, eh?” Zany teased the young princess.

“I’m over here trying to say goodbye to my friends which I might not see for who knows how long and you’re just over there teasing me about every single thing that I say!” Twinkle said.

“Can you really get mad at the fact that you’ll never have to do deal with me again?” Zany retorted teasingly.

“I mean, it’s something to smile about, but I’m certainly still upset about leaving my friends.” Twinkle responded.

“We’re upset about that too.” Jewel responded.

“What are we gonna do without ya?” Applespike asked.

“Spend some time with me for once?” Zany asked.

“I thought we always did that.” Jewel told him.

“Not as much as Miss Twinkle Toes,” Zany said, “And with her gone, we don’t have to worry about ‘Your Nerdiness’ or anything.”

“Well, ‘Your Nerdiness’ would like to say that she has friends that actually care about her and would indeed worry about her condition in Canterlot.” Twinkle responded.

“Hey, I’m not saying it will be immediate. But I’m not getting older either. Immortality, remember?” Zany responded.

“Sure, just wait for them to like you again after all you’re doing right now. Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Twinkle said sarcastically.

“I’m not being rude! Just a happy colt that is celebrating the departure of his mortal enemy. Or really immortal enemy. Ya know, cuz you still haven’t decided if you wanna be a mortal like your parents or immortal and have fun forever. Just choose one, genius.” Zany replied.

“That’s not a part of this! It’s a hard decision! And it’s none of your business, moron!” Twinkle said in return.

“I’m sure it is. On one side, you’d be mortal and live out life as a normal pony, not having to worry about watching all your friends and family die. On the other, you could be immortal and watch everyone you love die and be left with just my family to live it out. And probably also Granny Smith. She’s like one hundred and forty years old or something by now. How is that mare even alive?” Zany responded to what the filly had to say.

“It is a hard choice! Stop changing the subject!” Twinkle said.

They both paused for a moment.

“Umm..” they both said, “What was the subject?”

“About how Twinkle was going to leave for Canterlot for Celestia knows how long?” Jewel said.

“Right. Well, I’m excited about you leaving because I’ll never have to see you again!” Zany said to Twinkle.

“Never… again…?” Applespike asked.

“Well, sure! She’s going to Canterlot! Once she gets into magic school, which I’m sure she will, she’s a smart little filly, she’ll grow up there attending her little magic lessons and all that nonsense. But you’ll have me to keep you company, don’t worry!” Zany responded.

“Oh Zany, don’t be so negative!” Jewel told the young colt.

“As I said, I’m not being negative! I’m being positive! Happy that Twinkle Toes is leaving forever!” Zany said in a very optimistic tone.

Suddenly, another voice broke in. “Alright, sweetheart, it’s time to go. The train’s almost here.”

Twinkle looked down the railroad to see a train approaching. “Alright, Mom.”

“And remember,” Twilight said to her friends, “We’ll come every Hearth’s Warming. We won’t be leaving forever or anything.”

Twinkle looked over at Zany and rose her eyebrow.

“Oh, I’ll make sure you’ll leave forever.” Zany said in response to the gesture.

When Twinkle was about to make a snarky comment, he train screeched into the station before coming to a stop.

“Well, Jewel, Applespike, I think… I think I have to go now…” Twinkle told them.

She began to walk up to her parents towards the now open train car.

Then, she turned towards her friends, “I’ll miss you two, and, for what it’s worth, I think I’m going to miss you too, Zany.”

Before anypony had time to say any last words to the three ponies, the train car closed and began to slowly rumble before heading off on its way to Canterlot.

Jewel looked at the departing train one last time. “Goodbye, Twinkle.”

Applespike topped his green trimmed hat in sorrow. Then, he looked up happily as if nothing had happened and leaned onto Zany.

“I think she likes you!” He told the other colt happily.

“Sh- Shut up!” Zany stuttered.

“Oh my Celestia,” Jewel whispered, “He does love her.”

“Love is a strong word. It’s the complete opposite of how I feel about that petty filly.” Zany responded.

“We’ll see, Zany,” Applespike told him, “We’ll just have’ta wait and see.”

Author's Note

Even though I said chapter 3 would be out soon, and then this happened. Great. Well, now I have chapter 4 to work on. Luckily, I've already written chapters 4 to 12 and am now working on chapter 13, so by now there shouldn't be all that much to worry about.

About this chapter, though, I am aware that it's a bit shorter, but that's hopefully alright. If Zany sounded a little too mean towards the others, know that he is just a slightly egotistical eight-year-old overexcited about the departure of his greatest enemy. He'll be more sympathetic in the future chapters, anyways.

Besides, these first three chapters were only the prologue anyways!

The Mysterious Mare

Chapter 4: Mysterious Mare

Zany was 15 now. So was Applespike. Jewel was a year younger than the others but still enjoyed their company and friendship.

Those seven years had gone by well for the trio, seven years since they had seen Twinkle at all. They tried not to forget her, even Zany would make an effort in the matter, though they all still sometimes ceased to remember their friend from those many years ago.

Zany didn’t even know why he had tried to remember Twinkle. He had barely liked her, anyways.

Still, he missed their fights, for now he had no mortal or immortal enemy. He had many new weapons he had wanted to test on the filly, but had never gotten to. Perhaps that was the reason.

He hadn’t thought of it that way then, but over the years, Zany decided that his cute ciñera was the best day of his life so far.

The others had missed her as well, and for more obvious reasons at that. They had been her only two friends- which seemed strange to think, knowing who her mother was.

Even during Hearth’s Warming, the trio was too busy saving Santa Hooves or off lost in the frozen wasteland to see their friend.

It was one day, almost exactly seven years after the departure of Twinkle and her parents that at the breakfast of the Chaos family that the fates finally aligned.

“I have to go to the train station,” Fluttershy told the others, “My friend Tree Hugger will be waiting there for me. She’s on the train from Canterlot, which should be arriving in just a little while.

“Well, at least one of us has plans.” Discord told his wife.

“I’m gonna hang out with my friends! You know, Dinks, Lightning and Thunder, Apple Blossom, Cinnamon Sticks,” Screwball said, “That counts as something, doesn’t it?”

“And I’m going with her this time!” Mothball added.

“I don’t imagine anypony will be going with me- it’s alright though; I can handle the walk on my own.” Fluttershy said.

“Actually,” Zany said, “Applespike and Jewel aren’t available until this afternoon so I have nothing better to do. I can go with you.”

“Thank you, Zany,” Fluttershy responded, “I’d be delighted if you came!”

Soon, breakfast was finished and the two headed out to the train station.

As they trotted over, Fluttershy decided to ask her son a question. “So, anypony you’re meeting up with?”

“No. I’m just here because I feel like coming. Besides, I have nothing better to do.”

They then reached the train station just in time, as the train arrived moments later. As the ponies got off, Zany could tell that most of them were directly from Canterlot. Then, he saw a green mare with a red and orange mane wearing a yellow flower hat of some sort. Immediately, he saw his mother rush over to the mare, hug her, and help her with her luggage.

That must be Tree Hugger, Zany thought.

As soon as he looked away, however, he laid his eyes on a mare. She was wearing a brown cloak covering most of her body, but even then, he could see her face along with the fact that she was a dark purple unicorn. He looked into her eyes even as he knew that by now she had noticed him, and could see that they were like two oceans endlessly deep. The background around her melted away as his vision kept on her and only her. Without noticing, he subconsciously lifted himself up off the ground with his chaotic magic and floated over to the mare.

“H- Hi, miss.” Zany said, stuttering.

“Why hello young-” she said in a very broad and diplomatic voice, but clearly not the Canterlot Voice.

“Zany?” She asked, more personally this time.

“Y- Yes. I’m Zany,” he responded, looking deep within her eyes, “Wait. Why do you know my name?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.” She said with some business tone in her voice.

“L- Later?” Zany asked happily.

“Sure. I can go see you later,” the mare responded, “Though right now I need to deal with all my luggage. I’m staying here for a few days.”

“A few days? I- I mean, would you mind if I… um.... helped you with your luggage?” Zany asked.

The mare smiled, increasing Zany’s happiness. “No, not at all. But just so you know, they are kind of heavy.”

“Don’t worry, miss,” Zany said before taking a quick bow, “It won’t take a minute.”

The mare smiled once again. “I’m sure it won’t.”

Suddenly, Zany poofed all of the mare’s belongings to the other side of the train station.

Zany made a guilty smile. “I… uh… I have chaotic powers.”

The mare giggled. “I know.”

The two then trotted over to where Zany had put their luggage.

“You know,” the mare said, “I don’t think I’ve seen this train station in a long while.”

“Do you not visit Ponyville anymore?” Zany asked.

“Oh, no. I mean, yes. I don’t. But, used to, I didn’t visit this town. I lived here.” The mare said.

“Oh. I see.” Zany replied.

“Not until… I got my cutie mark.” The mare finished.

Zany then spoke up. “You know, I once knew a pony, a mare, well, I guess at that time a filly, that lived here in Ponyville until she was a little over six and got her cutie mark. She left the next day.”

“Oh.” The mare said, staring off into a nothingness.

“She got her cutie mark at the same time I did. I mean, we always fought, but somehow our cutie marks just came at the same time. For being a petty little filly to me, she sure was nice to her to only friends. And, you want to know something?” he continued.

“What?”

“The last thing I ever heard her say, it was directed towards me. And I still remember what she said.” Zany told her.

The mare blushed. “What?”

Zany looked off into the distance, remembering something from deep in his youth that even then, he had ceased to forget. “She told me ‘... and, for what it’s worth, I think I’m going to miss you too, Zany.”

“Right after she left, we were sad until Applespike, my best friend, told me that he thought that she liked me.”

The mare blushed even harder than the last time. Still, Zany didn’t notice.

“Wh- What was the filly’s name?” The mare asked.

“Oh. Her name? She’s Twinkle. Twinkle Sparkle. Though, to be honest, I preferred calling her ‘Twinkle Toes’.” Zany answered.

“Oh, Twinkle Toes.” The mare sighed whilst muttering out.

“And she would call me Lamey Zany.” Zany added.

The mare chuckled at that.

Zany laughed under his breath a bit as well. “I know. It did kinda get under my skin, though.”

“Would it be okay if I called you Lamey Zany?” The mare asked, “I mean, not like to be rude, just as a little nickname?”

“Sure. You can call me that. You know, about names, what’s yours?” Zany asked the mare.

The mare looked shocked, her eyes going wide, before making some sort of realization and returning to normal. Suddenly, she started humming a little tune.

“Umm… why are you humming ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’?” Zany asked.

“Oh my Celestia, I don’t remember you being this blind last time we spoke, Zany.” She said quietly yet angerly before teleporting them both to behind the train station.

“Because that was the easiest way I could tell you.” she said before taking off her cloak to reveal her mane, cutie mark, and wings.

Stunned, Zany asked, “Twinkle?!”

Author's Note

I told you it wouldn't be that long! And it's only been a week! Finally the story has really begun!

Honestly I don't know what to say about this chapter. Why she was wearing the cloak will be revealed in the next chapter. To hopefully be continued soon!