A Glimmer of Hope

Tempest Shadow woke and grunted. Another day of trying to fit in. Another day of the snide glances and hurtful comments. It wouldn't have hurt so much - she had done some horrible things to other ponies, after all - if she didn't want to fit in. She was trying so hard and felt so guilty over what she did when she helped the Storm King. If only somepony else who knew her pain, somepony who had been mistreated and done things that they shouldn't have, somepony who shared her struggles, could help her!

"I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU, I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU, I will always be here for you...

Tempest heard the voice. Something stirred in her memory, telling her what the voice was and calming the fear that she was turning insane. It was an Echo of the Past. A voice reminding her of an event in her life allowing her to follow the right path. They were uncommon, but persistent, and would continue to echo at random until the pony followed its advice. She had heard this particular echo before. Not long ago, as she held onto the balcony of Canterlot Castle, trying not to let the Storm King's magic whip her away and send her falling to her death. She had heard the echo just as Princess Twilight reached out a hoof, reminding her to accept the princess's help. It was reminding her to accept help again. Somehow, though, Twilight did not fit the bill. She hadn't struggled through her childhood in the same way that Fizzlepop had. The echo repeated, and she remembered who owned the voice. A light pink filly with cyan eyes and a dark purple mane and tail with cyan stripes. She was called Starlight Glimmer.

She remembered that night that they stayed together with relish: how they spoke of their private battles as though they had known each other for years; how they had supported each other; how neither of them cared that the other had a different opinion. To find that pony - oh, it would bring so much relief! It would be amazing! But a small, gnarled part of her doubted that Starlight Glimmer would even remember. She shook the thought away, but it still plagued her as she headed to Sugarcube Corner. She didn't fancy asking Twilight straight away if she knew Starlight, and she needed to head to work and earn a few bits.

She met Pinkie Pie on the way to the popular bakery and sweet shop. Pinkie was bounding along as usual, chatting ten to they dozen.
"Oh my, Tempest, isn't it a lovely day! Cloudsdale have been trying really hard to keep the skies clear! You know, my family wrote a letter saying that they might be visiting Ponyville soon. Isn't that great! Remember when you told me that your name is Fizzlepop Berrytwist and not Tempest Shadow like you tell everypony? Pinkie Pie isn't my real name either. My name is still Pinkie Pie, but my full name is actually Pinkamena Diane Pie. It's soooooo long! I guess Fizzlepop Berrytwist is quite long, but Pinkamena Diane Pie is really really really long! Hey Tempest, did you know that the Storm King's still alive and was threatening to come back to Equestria just to come after you? And did you know that Rarity and Spike went on a real actual date?"
Tempest said, "What?"
Pinkie stopped bouncing and smiled. "I knew you weren't listening. Don't worry, I'm not upset. Something on your mind?"
"Yes. I mean, no. Umm..."
"You mean yes."
"Yes."
"You fancy soda when we get to Sugarcube Corner?"
"Soda. Yes please. I could drink twenty glasses of soda right now."
"That's not healthy. Even I don't drink that much soda because I need nice sparkling teeth when I smile. But why? Bad morning?"
Two mares walked past, glaring at Tempest. A stallion came not far behind them and yelled, "TURNCOAT!" at her. He said to the mares, "You know, that Tempest Shadow is just weird. I reckon she still has it in her to be a turncoat. Next thing we know, she'll be working with Queen Chrysalis or King Sombra. Maybe she'll find some comfort working with other ponies with deformed horns. Imagine that!"
Fizzlepop slumped on the road where she stood, disheartened. She said to Pinkie, "I don't know why I bother trying to fit in. This is why I ran away in the first place."
Pinkie lifted Tempest's chin. "The bakery won't miss you this morning. Business doesn't start until nine and we aren't even that busy before twelve. You should do something that you enjoy, maybe make some fizzy pop at home. You could even go talk to Twilight. Her former student Starlight Glimmer is away on a friendship mission, but-"
"Did you say Starlight Glimmer?!"
"Uh huh. You met her before? Maybe you could have a reunion! You should go talk to Twilight! Oh, oh, we could have a party! I need to prepare! Don't worry, last-minute party preparations are what I do! I even have a cutie mark to say it!"
"I don't think I'll have a party-" Tempest said in a serious tone.
"Oh," said Pinkie, disappointed. The smile left her face.
"But I might surprise her with a cake and a few balloons."
Pinkie grinned again. "We have a deal."

Tempest did not hesitate in meeting Twilight. She dashed to the Castle of Friendship nearly as fast as Rainbow Dash could fly there. She knocked on the door and Spike opened it.
"Tempest! How can I help you?" asked the dragon.
"I would like to talk to Twilight."
"Come in. She's upstairs. I'll get her."

She waited for a few minutes, kicking at the floor with her front left hoof. She was unsure of what to say, but she knew that she had to talk to somepony about how she felt. Now that she knew that there was no way she couldn't do this. Now that she knew that Starlight Glimmer lived in Ponyville, she had to speak to her.
"Hey Tempest," said Twilight. "I heard that you wanted to speak to me."
She looked at the alicorn. "Actually, I would like to talk to Starlight. This might be news to you, but I used to know her."