“Trixie, No!” shouted Starlight as she startled herself awake. Blinking as her hues took in the light of the morning sunlight.She covered her eyes a bit, slowly allowing them to adjust to the morning light.
“Oh, it was just a dream. Phew, I was really worried that I lost my best friend.” spoke Starlight with a gentle smile. Starlight unfolded the blankets, and got up out of her bed.
Starlight took a step out into the empty long hallway of the Friendship castle. It was always so quiet here, despite living with Twilight and Spike, but she had grown accustomed to it by now. She trotted forward into the bathroom to wash up for the day. She smiled softly at her reflection in the mirror, as she levitated a brush with her magic, and began getting out the knots from the previous night. She wanted to go see how Trixie was doing once she got herself something to eat. After she was finished, she gently put the brush back down, and trotted down towards the Friendship hall.
The quiet of the castle didn’t really bother her, but she often wished she could calm her own thoughts. She walked into the main room and noticed the cutie map. She placed a hoof upon the table.
“I hope they can see how much I’ve changed. I wonder what those two are up too.” she muttered aloud. Blushing a bit, she really needed to break this habit of talking to herself at this times or ponies might start thinking she was crazy! A nervous drop of sweat ran down her cheek. She took a deep breath and decided to inspect the castle further. Twilight and Spike could be anywhere.She made a mental note to tell Twilight to work on a locating spell that could be placed inside the castle.
Starlight checked the library first. She glanced around a bit, and whinnied when she realized it was as empty as the friendship room. Maybe they went somewhere and just didn’t think to tell her? It’s not like Twilight to forget something like that, but she had to consider all possibilities.
Starlight decided if they weren’t in the kitchen, then it was most likely they had simply gone out somewhere and hadn’t thought to tell her. Starlight trotted towards the kitchen, hoping to catch Spike in his girly apron, but again. Nothing. Hmm, how odd.
“I wonder where they went, and why they didn’t say anything. I know it’s not my birthday...did I complete a friendship lesson and forget about it? Or maybe Spike needs a bigger bed.” she chuckled to herself a bit. Starlight took a deep breath, gathered a small saddlebag from her room quickly, with a small blue box with purple ribbon into it. She smiled, hoping Trixie would in turn have something for her as well. Starlight Glimmer went outside of the Friendship castle, as she gazed around the rather friendly town that was Ponyville.
Starlight truly felt at home here, but as she continued gazing around the town, something dwelled on her rather quickly. It was quiet…what was going on? She decided to head over towards the edge of the town, where Trixie usually parked her wagon. Her wagon was there, like it always was.
Starlight gently lifted her forehoof and tapped on the door three times before stepping back slightly, and awaiting an answer. Starlight stood there, fidgeting slightly in place. She pursed her lower lip, beginning to wonder if Trixie was even home. Typically she didn’t go anywhere without her wagon.
“Something’s not right...where is every pony?” she questioned aloud. Of course no pony seemed to answer her. Leaving her to dwell in her own thoughts. She needed to think. What would Twilight do? Well...if no one was in Ponyville, that didn’t mean that no one was around. Her gaze immediately drifted towards the Everfree forest. She wasn’t scared of anything the forest had to offer, she was more frightened of the thoughts swirling through her head.
“You got this.” she told herself as she approached the Everfree forest, entering it without a moment’s hesitation.
“I believe Zecora’s place is around here…” she spoke as she ventured deeper, being careful to avoid any unwanted plants or vines scraping against her frame. She smiled a bit when she finally approached her door. She hesitated a bit as she raised her hoof to knock. What if she isn’t home either, what if I’m alone and there’s no pony to help me…
The thought was enough to make her hypervaliate a bit, she panted rapidly, as sweat drops drenched down the sides of her face, as she nervously shook in place, but finally managed to muster up the nerve to knock on Zecora’s door. Please answer.
It was quiet for a few seconds. Starlight forced herself to smile, perking up a bit when she heard a rattling and rustling from inside. Zecora answered the door, looking to the pony upon her doorstop. Does she even know who I am?
Starlight stood there, silently as Zecora seemed to humm gently before speaking.
“Ah, a stranger comes upon my door. Surely, a pony I’ve met before.” spoke Zecora smiling gently, slightly nodding towards Starlight.
“It’s me, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight’s student? I know we haven’t really spoken that much, but it’s just that I can’t seem to find any pony. I was hoping you might be able to help me.” explained Starlight calmly.
“I cannot freely give the help you seek, for I know not of whom you speak.” replied Zecora.
“Wait what? You don't know Twilight Sparkle?”
“Starlight, try not to blink, for the answers are closer than you think.” spoke Zecora.
“Closer than I think? Would you mind clarifying that a bit? I’m not certain I’m following.” replied Starlight, forcing a smile.
Zecora hummed and Starlight wasn’t certain she’d answer her or not. Feeling the sweat running down her pores, she took a deep gulp of a breath, and remained silent.
Zecora pointed her forehoof directly at Starlight.
“The answers you need to hear, are the ones most clouded by your fears.” spoke Zecora gently.
Starlight blinked. Huh? What was she talking about?
She lifted her forehoof to her chin, and pondered on what Zecora said, even if she wasn’t quite certain on what she meant.
“There is much yet left for you to do, you must not let me stop you, so now you must shoo.”
Starlight furrowed her brow a bit. “Seems I won’t find my answers here.”
“Perhaps seek elsewhere for clues, so that you aren’t so blue.”
And I thought Trixie’s speech patterns were strange, but this is just rather odd. I best be on my way, before I catch it.
Starlight slowly started back towards Ponyville, a soft sigh as she approached Sugarcube corner.
“I really wish Pinkie Pie was here to liven this place up right now. Even she could make this place seem lively.” Starlight kicked a small pebble up and into the air. Frustrated, she needed to think. What would Twilight do?”
“Come on, Starlight...think!” she lifted her forehoof to her head and tapped against her mane repeatedly. She needed answers. “Wait, that’s it! My village. If any pony has the answers surely some pony will be there.” she half heartedly chuckled because the last time she had returned to her village, well it hadn’t gone over entirely well, but she had made up for it. She and her odd bunch of friends had saved the day, and she still found it hard to believe that some ponies called her a hero. I’m no hero, Twilight’s the one ponies should be praising not me.
Ponyville was empty, silent stone cold. Starlight was alone to dwell in her own thoughts. She hyperventilated a bit before finally stomping a forehoof down upon the ground.
“Where is every pony?” she shouted.
Silence. Nothing. Not even the wind blew a breeze by to settle her nerves.
“Okay, no pony is here, but that certainly doesn’t mean that every pony in Equestria is gone...right? Right. Ugh!” Starlight hoof palmed, and remembered her original line of thought. Her village. She needed to go to her village, and for once she thought to herself. Just please let some pony be there, I don’t even care who.
Starlight trotted back towards the castle, she packed a small saddlebag of items she felt she might need. A few blankets, a pillow, a picture of her and Twilight, and Trixie’s gift.
“I know I don’t need this, but...Trixie means more to me than anything. I have to find her, and give this to her.” she cradled the gift against her chest fluff, before putting it into her saddlebag once more. I swear I’m going to get them all back, even if I don’t know what happened. Somehow. Someway. I can do this…for Trixie.
Right now, she’d give just about anything for this all to be a terrible dream that she’d wake up from. Starlight sighed heavily, knowing if this had been just a dream, Luna would have come for her by now.
Starlight began the long road towards her old village. Trixie always loved traveling to all sorts of places, and she’d tell me to think about the adventure of it all, the suspense in not knowing what might happen.. She pressed onwards, forcing herself to keep going.
“I’m going to get to the bottom of this, one way or the other. Some pony has to be out here, some pony besides myself.” spoke Starlight silently.
The walk to her village felt empty. She forced herself to smile, to keep hope, but she felt so unsure. What is going on?
Starlight arrived and could see the outlines of the small towns on each side of her old village.
“It’s kind of bittersweet every time I come back here.” she sighed. “I hope they can help me.”She forced a smile, and trotted into the village, eyes twitching but trying to remain calm.
“Starlight! It’s so good to see you again. No pony told me you were coming. I would have been more prepared had I known. I know you are busy with ruling Equestria and all. How have you been? Tell me everything.” beamed Fluttershy her hooves wrapped around Starlight’s neck, bringing her in closely against her chest, nuzzling her head against her neck.
“Fluttershy? Wait, what? What are you talking about? Where are Twilight and the others?” questioned Starlight. What is going on? Her ruling Equestria? Usually Rainbow and Pinkie were the ones known to do pranks, but for Fluttershy…
Though, Fluttershy kept an almost content look on her muzzle as Starlight awaited for her to reply.
The timid pegasus smiled a smug smirk, and jabbed her in the side. “What do you mean WHAT happened to Twilight? Don’t act like you don’t know. After all, you were the one that did it. You didn’t forget did you silly?” chuckled Fluttershy, lifting her free forehoof against her muzzle.
“Hahaha. I must be having an off day. Maybe you could fill me in with the details over a spot of tea? You always did make the best tea.” replied Starlight, a drop of sweat running down her cheeks, her hooves fidgeting a bit against the ground. Keep calm girl, do not let on that you have no idea what’s going on here. I just need to soothe the information out of Fluttershy, no pressure…
“Of course! It has been a while since we had tea together. I’ll go get it ready. Why don’t you sit down and relax. I’m sure you’ve had a long journey to get here.” replied Fluttershy flying into Starlight’s old home to make tea for the two of them.
Starlight stared at Fluttershy a bit longer, noticing her cutie mark, the equal sign. She went ahead and sat down at the picnic table. In the distance, she could see Night Glider, Double Diamond, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor all watching her. Don’t panic, just act natural.
“Hello Starlight, what brings you into our old town? We didn’t expect to see you any time soon with how busy you always seem to be nowadays.” smiled Sugar Belle.
“Well to be quite honest, I just really missed being home. Being stuck in a castle all the time, it’s just not the same, you know? So, I figured I would have some pony I trust take care of my duties for a few days.” replied Starlight, eyes darting slightly from side to side, a nervous chuckle escaping her throat.
What am I going to do now?
Sugar Belle smiled softly and sat down across from her, and began talking to her about how things in the village had been since she had left Fluttershy in charge.
Starlight simply nodded, and kept quiet, allowing herself to take in the scenery. Not much has changed...it was still the same old village she had always known.
Who knows what did to Twilight. No. What SHE had done to Twilight.
Starlight knew exactly what she had to do, she needed answers, and the best one to give them to her was the very pony she had left in charge. She had to proceed cautiously though, she couldn’t let on she had no clue what they were talking about. Oh please let this just be a really terrible prank from Rainbow and Pinkie. I’d give anything for things to be normal again.
It was obvious, Fluttershy was the leader here, and she had put her in charge. What about every pony else? She blinked, glancing over towards the little cottage. Surely they weren’t trapped inside all this time. She had to bid her time, and hope Fluttershy would give her answers, at least she hoped so.
“. No matter what I’m am going to fix this, I have too. For the sake of every pony, for the sake of Equestria.
Chapter 2: Fluttershy's Cult
Starlight gritted her teeth a bit, a slight shiver trembling all through her body. Focus. Just relax. Starlight jumped slightly in her seat, hearing the creak of the cottage door opening. Fluttershy stood there, carrying a tray of tea within her left fore hoof, humming a gentle tune, she carefully placed the tea onto the table, sliding a cup towards Starlight. Starlight couldn't help but notice how calm Fluttershy looked like all of this was normal. What happened?
“It really is so good to see you, Starlight. You really should visit more often.” smiled Fluttershy, taking a sip of tea.
“Oh, I had been planning too, you know it's just so hard to be a leader of all ponies. It's nothing like when I ran this village. Though I must say you are doing a wonderful job in my stead. I always knew you were the right pony for the task at hoof.”
“Oh, of course! This place is simply amazing. I've never been happier, though often I do wonder about my animals.” spoke Fluttershy, a soft sigh escaping her lips.
Fluttershy's posture looked calm, almost calculated. Starlight fidgeted a bit. She bit her lip, eyes darting from side to side, before taking a deep breath.
“So...tell me what's it like being the leader of all ponies in Equestria? I simply can't imagine how hard it must be.” smiled Fluttershy, calmly sipping her tea, playfully batting her eyelashes at her mentor. This felt so wrong, Starlight said to herself. Fluttershy being this… close with her was… uncomfortable to say the least. Starlight kept her posture straight, focused. She felt a slight trickle of sweat running down her cheeks. Starlight glanced back towards Fluttershy, calmly sipping at her tea, while pondering on how best to answer her.
“Well...it's more complicated than you might think. To be honest with you, most of it's rather dull and uneventful. Often it's just meetings and boring politics. I think it's probably more interesting for you. Tell me how have the villagers been?” questioned Starlight, leaning her chin against her forehooves, and giving Fluttershy that suggestive smirk.
“Oh, you know how it is. I don't know why you'd have to ask. All of them have been following our ways since you left. Though I did have a little bit of trouble with Sugar Belle, but even she has come to see our ways.”
“Really? How fascinating.” replied Starlight, taking a sip of her tea, enjoying the quiet calm. Her eyebrows furrowed a bit.
“Tell me Starlight, you really didn't come here just for tea did you?” smiled Fluttershy, sheepishly. Her cheeks flushing just a bit, a bit of a suggestive smirk. “Or did you come to visit Twilight? After all you always did have a strong connection with her.”
“Twilight? She's here? Where?” questioned Starlight as she sat up straighter on the bench. Her forehooves resting against the top of the picnic table, eyes widened. If Twilight was still around, then all hope wasn't lost. She could fix whatever mess this was. Whatever she had caused.
“Where? Why Starlight, have you been sleeping well the past few nights? You just don't seem like yourself.” questioned Fluttershy, sipping her tea, a slight raise of an eyebrow, as she reached a forehoof across the table, batting her eyelashes at her softly. “You know you can tell me anything right? You know I'm here for you.”
Starlight Glimmer felt beads of sweat running down her face, as she took a slow nervous gulp.
“Of course, I know that Fluttershy. It's just I worry about Twilight. I worry she might still be a thorn in my side even now.” Starlight whimpered as she shifted a bit in her seat. She couldn't help but to sigh, her ears drooped a bit to the sides of her face.
“Oh...I see. Well, why don't we go see her. After all she's still in the same spot that she's always been. I can take you to her if you'd like.”
“I'd like that very much, might help ease these fears of mine as well.” she chuckled a bit.
Fluttershy stood up from the bench, stretching out her body, leaning her head back, and cracking her neck from side to side. She gestured with a fore hoof towards Sugar Belle.
“Do be a good girl and watch over the others for a bit now would you? I wouldn't want to come back to find this place any differently than what I left it in.” smirked Fluttershy, an innocent smirk crossing her lips, as she lifted her fore hoof and patted Sugar Belle's mane like a mother would.
“Of course Fluttershy. Anything for you.” replied Sugar Belle in complete monotone, nodding her head downwards. As ever, she was keeping her gaze leveled at the ground.
Starlight Glimmer watched the behavior and actions of the village, it really did remind her of the old days. How often she'd praise the ponies for following her code, and how easily it seemed Fluttershy had taken to the role of Leader here in her absence. Starlight then stood up on her haunches, and walked over beside Fluttershy, looking at Sugar Belle.
“It's good to see all of you doing so well. Now I want all of you to be a good example for Fluttershy. If even one of you slip up, we'll know.” her muzzle raised upwards slightly into a sadistic smirk.
“Follow me.” replied Fluttershy leading the way as she trotted through the small village. Starlight Glimmer followed Fluttershy, keeping just a few paces behind her, waving towards the villagers.
Starlight was led outside of the small village, towards the cave where she had first met Double Diamond. Even after all these years, she still remembered that moment vividly, like it had just happened. She stopped and stood silently as she -alongside Fluttershy- entered the cave and she was soon struck silent by what she saw before her.
In front of her eyes was none other than Twilight Sparkle, she had this look of absolute shock and awe upon her frozen face. Starlight glanced at her flank, noticing her mark was very much the equal sign as she might have expected. Her ears flattened a bit against the sides of her head, unable to stop a slight sigh from escaping her lips.
“Now Fluttershy....tell me why is she frozen if she doesn't have her mark?” questioned Starlight Glimmer. She kept her eyes focused on Fluttershy's solid baby blues. Making sure she got as many answers as she could, while playing along with the “role” she had here.
“Oh yes, well you see....not all have accepted our ways. That's why you had no other choice but to freeze her in a block of solid ice. Quite cruel, if you ask me, but I have kept her here as a reminder for the villagers of what will happen if they dare to defy our ways. After all, we're just trying to make every pony happy, and why would anything fight against something so pleasant?” smiled Fluttershy, as she nuzzled her head against Starlight's, a genuine soft smile across her muzzle. She couldn't help but coo, it seemed Fluttershy had taken to this role more than she might have initially imagined.
“I see... Interesting. What kind of magic is this?” questioned Starlight as she lifted a forehoof towards the ice, and felt a wave of rejection as it forced her back onto her hindquarters. She shook her head, a bit dazed as she looked back towards the statue of Twilight. She blinked as she stood up, regaining her composure.
“Oh Starlight you know you can't touch it. No pony can.” spoke Fluttershy. “Even I'm unsure what kind of magic you used, but it's been holding up rather well.”
“I see. Would you mind giving Twilight and I some alone time, Fluttershy?” questioned Starlight Glimmer glancing over at Fluttershy, giving her that soft look, while keeping her shoulders composed, and smiling towards her.
“Of course. If you need anything just come find me.” replied Fluttershy. Fluttershy wrapped her fore hooves around her once more before she trotted off once more. Fluttershy was gone now. Starlight was alone again. Never had she felt such a relief to be alone.
“Phew...Twilight what am I going to do now?” she grimaced towards the frozen Twilight. Suspended in time, trapped in layers of ice, and some complex magical spell that only she could undo, and yet she herself had no idea where to even start. The runes around the ice didn't look all that familiar to her, but there had to be clues out there somewhere. Starlight knew that she likely wasn't going to find more answers here. She had to keep pressing forward. To find the answers to the many questions. She sighed heavily. Her ears drooped to each side as she sat down on her hindquarters.
Starlight sat there just staring at Twilight Sparkle for a good few minutes or so, dwelling on what to do, before she finally stood up on all fours, dusting herself off. She whispered to Twilight, thinking maybe perhaps somehow she could still hear her.
“Don't worry Twilight, I promise you I'm going to fix this. I'll get everything back to the way it was. Just hang in there.” and with that Starlight trotted out of the cave and back towards the village. She needed to say a proper goodbye to Fluttershy and the others. She couldn't just run off without at least letting them know how proud she was of them.
Starlight Glimmer trotted over towards Fluttershy, wrapping a forehoof around her.
“Thank you Fluttershy. Truly, no one but you could have replaced me so well. Keep up the good work. Be sure to write me if you ever need anything alright? Now, I must be going. You know how it is, being the leader of Equestria is AWFULLY demanding. I will miss this little village though.” she smiled sheepishly. Starlight nuzzled Fluttershy affectionately, closing her eyes and just enjoying the comfort of knowing how close one of her dearest friends were. Though, she couldn't help frowning ever so slightly knowing this wasn't the Fluttershy she cherished so deeply. She let go of Fluttershy, and walked over towards Double Diamond.
“Hello there old friend. How have you been?”
“Starlight, it's so good to see you again. I've been doing rather well. It's so nice of you to ask.” smiled Double Diamond. The white earth pony had this big grin on his face, his eye twitching ever so slightly. The equal sign on his flank. The stallion was considered Starlight's most trusted adviser. She couldn't help wondering if it was still the same.
“I'm so glad. You really should write me as well. I'd love to hear from you and the others. It gets awfully dull being by myself at the castle.”
“Oh of course, Starlight. I'd be happy to write you.” replied Double Diamond, that same wide eyed grin on his face. He fidgeted a bit, a nervous trail of sweat running down his face. He tilted his head forward, kneeling towards her humbly.
“I promise I will write to you more often, Starlight. Just as I hope you will visit us more often. We all miss you here. Not that Fluttershy hasn't done an excellent job in replacing you, but it's just not the same as you being here.”
Starlight Glimmer lifted a forehoof onto Double Diamonds' shoulder, smiling softly, batting her eyelashes at him. “Now you be good while I'm gone.” and with that she let go of the hold she had on him, and went to leave the village. She glanced back towards the villagers, her focus on Fluttershy, and how calm and composed she was. She was going to save her, even if she didn't know she was in danger. She nodded her head, and trotted out of the village. She wasn't sure where to head next, but she knew the answers had to be out there somewhere. First, she had to find some pony that could actually help her. Hmm....I've got to find out what happened.
“I can't believe what I just saw. I wonder what happened to the others? Where are they? Why was Ponyville empty? Why am I talking to myself?” she hit her forehoof against her forehead, accidentally bumping her hoof against her horn, and groaning every so slightly. She felt so frustrated. She stomped her hooves onto the ground, and took a deep long steady breath. Starlight knew the only way to find the answers was to keep moving forward. Just like how she had become good, if she dwelled too much on her past mistakes, she would never truly be able to move on. She left the village, and began heading deeper into the unknown.
Starlight Glimmer traveled for what felt to her like hours upon hours, when she noticed the sunlight starting to dim, and the moon beginning to rise into the evening sky. Did that mean? Did that mean Luna and Celestia were around? That gave the mare a sparkle in her hues. There was still hope. She just had to find it, find that glimmer of a spark that would keep her going. Starlight figured it would be best not to travel at night, so she made herself a small camp in the middle of nowhere. Just enough space for her to be able to sleep. She sat down on a wooden log, as she looked into the fire she had made. Staring at the embers as they danced around, she couldn't help but sigh.
She missed having other ponies to talk too. She missed Twilight and the others. To think all of this was her fault, and she still had no clue how to even begin to fix it. She wouldn't give up, because that would be admitting defeat, and Starlight wasn't about to give up on her friends and her future. With a grin, she couldn't help thinking of Trixie, and grabbing the gift from her knapsack. It was just a fancy tea set in a nice packaging, with a bow tied over top of it.
“Oh Trixie...what I wouldn't give to see you right now. Just so I can… have some… small reassurance knowing that something around here is still relatively normal.
Starlight Glimmer suddenly heard a rustling in the bushes nearby. She tensed up a bit. Her horn crackled with energy. “Who's there? Show yourself!”
A pony fell through the brush, falling straight onto her face, with a drunken look in her violet eyes. She didn't even answer Starlight, as she suddenly fell unconscious. Starlight immediately stood up and went over to the blue mare, sobbing into her white mane, and holding her tightly.
“Trixie....Oh you don't even know how happy I am to see you.” She couldn't help looking up to the night sky, whispering silent thanks. She could do this, she could fix this, and now she wouldn't feel so alone.
Author's Note
I apologize that this is a day late, but it's here, enjoy!
