The Light of the Night

The blinding light faded as quickly as it appeared before her eyes, even then it took time before Starbeam’s vision was truly restored. Suddenly, before she could take a single step, she felt as if her legs had given in and felt herself fall forward. Fortunately, she was able to catch herself before her face hit the dirt beneath her feet… Or so should thought. For as she took a moment to open her eyes, she saw without mistake that there was something different about her.

For instead of feet or even hands, they had shifted into hooves… Pony hooves. She still had the same silvery hair with the purple streaks, only they were to the length of an equine’s mane and it matched the tail sticking out upon her flank. She felt her face, which was no longer and now resembling a muzzle. And when she felt the rest of her body, noting how her whole coat was a light pink fur, she also discovered that her only article of clothing she kept from the trip was her denim jean jacket. And just along both sides of the flank, a blue-and-yellow star cutie mark.

“Alright, we’re here.”

Starbeam Glitter turned around toward her mother’s voice and stood silently as she saw her in her pony form, a unicorn specifically. Her brilliant amaranth mane with light apple green stripes brushed in the light air, over her brilliant amber coat, a cutie mark of the sun was shown on her flank, and her moderate cyan eyes turned towards her daughter.

“It’s been so long since we’ve been here,” Sunset noted. “You okay?”

Starbeam Glitter nodded her head, but the skepticism clear upon her expression.

“Yea… Just nervous,” Starbeam replied, looking around. “Where are we?”

The two ponies found themselves before a gleaming crystal castle just on the outskirts of Ponyville. In which case, it is the Castle of Friendship, Princess Twilight Sparkle’s old home. As Sunset admired the view, memories of previous years flowing in her mind, the same could not be said for Starbeam. She didn’t quite recognize this castle, yet she had this feeling that she had been here before. She simply just couldn’t put a finger or hoof on it.

“This is Equestria,” Sunset Shimmer answered. “This was where you were born. I can’t blame you for not knowing, it’s been a while for both of us. Honestly, I hoped to tell you about this place when you were older.”

When Sunset Shimmer turned toward her daughter, she could see the concern in her eyes as she silently stared at the castle.

“Don’t worry, everything’s going to be okay,” Sunset assured. “Let’s just take this slowly. Okay?”

Starbeam nodded as the ponies make their way toward the castle, with her mom taking the lead. At the foot of the doorway leading to the castle, Sunset Shimmer knocked three times against the door. Then they waited for a few seconds, seeing how they were the only ponies out at this time. After a while, Sunset Shimmer started to feel a slight nervous when no one answered.

“I really hope this is the right place…” Sunset thought.

Eventually, the door creaks open just when Sunset reached to knock. Sunset Shimmer had initially expected the Princess, but instead it was a pony she hadn’t seen in years. There before Sunset, her moderate and light purple mane with the pale light, grayish aquamarine highlights over her pale, light grayish heliotrope coat, and dressed in pajamas (Which strangely resembled the color scheme of a certain ‘wizard’s’ cloak) was one of Twilight’s students and the new Headmare of the School of Friendship, Starlight Glimmer. As Starbeam glanced toward the mare, she noted the shooting star cutie mark on her flank wondering if every pony in this world has a tattoo on their rears.

“Sunset? When did you get back?” Starlight yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Sorry Starlight, I know it’s late,” Sunset apologized. “But we—no… I need to talk to Twilight, it’s really important!”

Of course, Starlight Glimmer was so tired she didn’t even notice Sunset’s kid right beside her.

“Can’t it wait until later? It’s been a long day at the school, and I’m really beat—”

“Starlight, please!” Sunset begged, nearly yelling. “You know I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t important. Please, could you at least call Twilight to come here?”

“Mmm… Alright, I’ll see what I can do,” Starlight muttered. “Do come in, will you? It’s cold out.”

“Thank you,” Sunset said.

Starlight tiredly beckoned Sunset Shimmer into the castle, as Sunset turns to Starbeam who eyed her mother. With a shrug, Sunset leads her daughter into the castle as her old friend prepared a message for the princess.

<>

A few minutes passed, by then Sunset Shimmer and Starbeam Glitter had settled within the old throne room home to the Friendship Map. It wasn’t long before Starlight Glimmer comes into the
room, using her aura to levitate three mugs of hot cocoa for her guests (Technically ‘two’, the other was for herself).

“Just sent Twilight an urgent message for her to see you,” Starlight declared. “It’ll take her a moment to get to the castle.”

Starlight Glimmer hands one mug over to Starbeam, who nods a silent ‘thanks’ before taking a slow sip of the scolding hot beverage. It was during which time when Starlight was fully awake, and she finally acknowledged the presence of Sunset’s daughter.

“So… You must be Starbeam Glitter, aren’t you?” Starlight asked.

“Mm-hmm,” Starbeam nodded.

“You know Twilight’s told me so much about you… ‘Princess’ Twilight, not ‘Sci-Twi’. Is that what folks call her? Wow… That does get confusing. Though I’m sure your moms have mentioned me a couple times.”

“… Not often.”

“Oh… Right, of course,” Starlight chuckled, sighing. “And… This got awkward really fast.”

“We’re sorry we never mentioned you to Starbeam,” Sunset spoke, feeling guilty. “I admit I’ve been away since our last visit, I kind of been forgetting my own heritage.”

“We hope we’re not intruding for coming,” Starbeam added.

“Well, no pony shows up this late without a valid reason,” Starlight replied. “Besides, I was hoping to finally get to meet your daughter anyway.”

Starlight Glimmer takes an especially good look at the kid, only now noticing certain similarities from her mother. There were traces of Sunset Shimmer in her, though rather slim. Majority wise, Starbeam shared much in common with her mother Twilight, the Human Twilight at least. She had many questions she hoped to ask, but under the circumstances this wasn’t the best time… At least, not yet.

“So, what exactly happened?” Starlight resumed. “Of all things I do know about you, this ordeal is all news for me. Is it serious?”

“It’s too long a story to explain in detail,” Sunset answered, uncertainly. “It’d be easier to explain it to Twilight.”

“Explain what?”

All heads turn as Princess Twilight Sparkle entered the throne room, in all her regal glory. It was quite a surprise for Sunset Shimmer. Not so much because of her unexpected arrival, but because of what Sunset did notice about her. Even after all these years, and despite the obvious changes in Twilight’s figure especially the fact she stood as tall as their former mentor, Princess Celestia, Twilight hadn’t changed at all. Perhaps due to being an alicorn, that the whole aging process makes it slower for her compared to every pony else.

“Hey, Twilight,” Sunset greeted, turning to Starlight and Starbeam. “I hate to be rude, but could you take Starbeam with you? This matter I rather keep between Twilight and myself.”

Starlight felt a tad awkward about the request. But she understood why Sunset would desire some privacy with their mentor.

“Oh yea… I did remember there were some books I forgot to organize in the other room. Say kid, how would you like to help me out?”

“W-Wait, but I—”

“Ah, ah! No butts missy. The grown-ups need to talk, and I ‘seriously’ could use the help. Come on.”

Taken by surprise, especially towards Starlight’s sudden request, Starbeam was practically dragged toward the castle library. Once they arrived, Starbeam’s eyes widen as it turned out Starlight wasn’t kidding. While Starlight seemed just as organized as Twilight Sparkle, both of them, Starbeam could clearly see she kept most of the books unstacked and laid out all over the place.

“Wow… If my mom saw this, she’d have a heart attack,” Starbeam replied.

“Oh, come on! It ain’t ‘that’ bad!” Starlight chuckled, sighing. “Just help me clean up. This way we can get a chance to talk.”

<>

As Starlight Glimmer kept Starbeam Glitter busy, Sunset Shimmer redirected her attention to Twilight Sparkle, ‘Princess’ Twilight Sparkle that is.

“So Sunset, what was it you wished to talk about?” Twilight asked.

“It’s not so simple to answer,” Sunset shook her head.

“Well you know me. I like complicated matters!”

Twilight Sparkle chuckled, meaning for it to be funny. But the princess could clearly see Sunset was in no mood to laugh, much less chuckle. Just seeing the look on her student’s face meant this was more serious than she imagined.

“All kidding aside, just tell me everything leading up to this point,” Twilight spoke.

“Alright,” Sunset nodded, taking a deep breath. “It started back when Starbeam turned eight. She’s been having these… ‘Nightmares’, which at first I assumed it was normal and I assured everyone gets them. But as time progressed, I started sensing this dark presence within her and there were times her magic would cause damage to her surroundings. Not severe enough to put limiters on, but Twilight and I know it be dangerous to be in public much less put her in school… Even though she’s been begging to go to Canterlot High for years.

“And every time it seems things were getting better, she’d get these… moments where she’d suddenly faint for no apparent reason at all. On top of all that, I’d hear her talking to herself… But not with her voice.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, concerned.

“I mean it sounded like another person. It got to the point where the other Twilight noticed this, and she’s been concerned since. I told her I’d handle it, but… it didn’t play out as I hoped. Then, just moments ago, she had another nightmare again. Only this time, I felt the presences most apparent… Midnight’s presence.”

“Midnight?” Twilight asked. “You mean the very Midnight Sparkle from ten years ago?”

“Yes!” Sunset nodded. “I think Midnight Daughter has our daughter ‘possessed’!”

Twilight wasn’t sure what to make of this. She remembered Sunset explaining Midnight Sparkle as a result of the overabundance of magic Sci-Twi absorbed and formed out of her negative emotions. But Sunset had failed to mentioned Midnight’s sudden reappearances and all the damage she’s been causing to that Twilight, and those closest to her.

“I don’t understand. I thought you defeated her after sacrificing your powers to suppress her. And what do mean by ‘possessed’?”

“I mean exactly that,” Sunset explained thoroughly. “Starbeam wasn’t in control of her own body. I was so afraid I almost attacked human Rainbow Dash assuming Nightmare Sparkle was still in the room. No one got hurt, but the fact Midnight’s gained so much power is… terrifying to say the least. But soon as she revealed herself, it’s like her presence vanished… just like that.”

“What else happened?” Twilight asked.

“After that, I stayed with Starbeam to make sure nothing else happened,” Sunset sighed. “Unfortunately, that’s when it only got worse.”

Taking a deep breath, breathing out for a couple seconds, Sunset eventually found the strength to continue her story.

“Starbeam had another nightmare, and Midnight’s presence was stronger than ever. So much malice, hate, and sheer power, it made me feel so cold that it’s… hard to describe. I always knew Midnight could do this whenever Starbeam’s asleep, I just never knew what she was doing in her dreams and when I tried to wake her up it’s like she could barely hear me. Even when she opened her eyes, I saw this—‘thing’ looking back at me, with cold eyes and that devilish grin.

“I’ll never forget that image, not in a thousand years. I tried to pin my own daughter down, so Midnight wouldn’t make her do anything… but that proved to be in vain. Midnight forced Starbeam to use a form of magic I’ve never encountered before.”

“Can you describe this power?” Twilight asked.

Sunset’s body trembled so badly; she practically hid her face from her teacher.

“She… she showed me… the other Twilight’s death… My past… everything…”

It was difficult for Sunset to describe in words, as Twilight tried her best to comfort her.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with that, Sunset,” Twilight spoke softly. “I realize it must’ve been horrible. You don’t have to tell me the rest if it hurts; we can just take a break.”

“No, no I’m good,” Sunset shook her head. “It’s just… I’d rather you know anyways or else I’ll never have another chance.”

Sunset Shimmer took a few extra breathes before continuing her story.

“After I saw everything happen at once… I just snapped! I lost myself in my madness, and all I thought about erasing Midnight Sparkle from existence, so she wouldn’t hurt anyone again. I transformed and attacked her… without the slightest hesitation. I didn’t even realize I wasn’t hurting Midnight… I was hurting Starbeam! Had her voice not reached me a moment sooner… she would be… I could’ve…”

But it was no use, Sunset couldn’t bare to finish that statement. She was fully aware of what nearly happened, what Sunset could’ve done to her daughter. Twilight nodded, knowing exactly where Sunset was going.

“What happened after that?” Twilight asked.

“The second I noticed who I attacked, everything stopped,” Sunset spoke, closing her eyes. “My surroundings were back to normal; however, not without a price. I terrified Starbeam; she couldn’t even look at me! She says she forgives me, but I know better…”

Sunset opened her eyes but didn’t look directly at Twilight.

“That’s why we’re here now, me and Starbeam. I knew if there was anypony who could help, I knew I had to come to you.”

Twilight was at a loss for words, completely caught unaware of the severity of this predicament. All was silent between mentor and student, as Twilight took a moment to process the whole story and the reasoning of coming to her for help.

“I hear what you’re saying,” Twilight spoke, breaking the silence. “You weren’t lying when you said how complicated this was, but… I’ve only ever encountered this magic only once before. Even then, I wasn’t able to find a definitive answer for it… But I do have an idea.”

Princess Twilight Sparkle vanished before Sunset Shimmer’s eyes, teleporting to another room. A second later, Twilight returned with one of her old books from upstairs.

“What if I could scan your daughter? It may not do much, but any clues could help find a solution to her condition.”

“Anything you can offer is better than nothing, Twilight. Until we have something to go on, I won’t know how to help Starbeam. All I want…”

Sunset paused when a set of sounds drew her to Starlight and Starbeam. While Starlight was arguing over the state of the library, seeing Starbeam just laugh it off made Sunset smile. For all the talents that Starbeam has pulled off over the years, and how at times she’s acted very mature for her age, this moment reminded Sunset that she was still a fragile child who still needs a parent’s care. She never wanted to see that smile disappear again, especially what happened.

“I only want Starbeam, and more importantly Twilight to be happy. Whatever you have to do, you have my permission… this time.”

Princess Twilight Sparkle nodded, reminded of the earlier instance on the day Starbeam was born. As if this was Sunset’s way of finally making peace, even though they had talked about it over the years.

“Bring her over here,” Twilight instructed.

Sunset Shimmer nodded before turning back toward Starbeam.

“Hey, Starbeam!” Sunset called out. “My friend has an idea she’d like to share with you!”

Turning toward her mother curiously, Starbeam made her way back into the room and approached the two ponies.

“Yes, your majesty?” Starbeam asked.

“Starbeam Glitter, your mother just explained about your condition and what happened,” Princess Twilight explained. “Based off that, I believe the best way to identify the problem is to scan you. That is, if you feel comfortable about it.”

“Scan me?” Starbeam asked, confused. “I thought you ponies were all about magic and sorcery. When did this become science fiction?”

“… Just like your wife,” Twilight spoke to Sunset.

That actually got Sunset to chuckle slightly, as her teacher turned back toward Starbeam.

“Well you see Starbeam, the idea is to use my magic to detect anomalies. To determine if there’s anything physically or mentally wrong with you. And the more I uncover, the easier to find a solution. Mind you I’ve never attempted this on a pony, much less a human, but it should work.”

So, we’re not counting the time Twilight tried to scan Pinkie on understanding her ‘Pinkie Senses’?

… Yeah, let’s not bring that part up.

“We wouldn’t ask you to do this, if you’re not okay with it,” Sunset added. “Do you want to try?”

Starbeam wasn’t sure how to feel. On one hand, Starbeam would be willing to try anything to remedy her of these ‘nightmares’ and the constant attacks on Nightmare’s part. But on the other hand, any procedure used for this first occasion could easily go wrong. After a minute of consulting herself, it dawned on Starbeam there was no other way to go about this. Something needed to be done and she was desperate.

“If it will make my parents happy, I’ll do it,” Starbeam volunteered.

“Alright,” Twilight nodded. “Let’s head on over to the other room, and we can begin.”