Luna galloped through the hall of Canterlot castle fear pulsing through her veins. She knew of only one being that can create such a shift in ones personality. She just hoped she wasn't too late. Bursting into the throne room Luna gasped for breath.

"Celestia! Where is Twilight! Is she still in Ponyville?" Celestia's eyes were wide. Her sisters sudden appearance combined with her frantic state giving the sun diarc a shock.

"Luna?" Celestia answered trotting over quickly. Celestia steadied her sister bringing her wing to Luna's face forcing eye contact. "Luna look at me what's happened? What has you is such a state?!"

Luna coughed to clear her airway. "Twilight,Twilightin danger." She gasped out. "I spokewithStarlight and Fluttershy last night. Twilight Sparkle's behavior only started to change after receiving wordbyletterfrom the Crystal Empire." Celestia shook Luna trying to calm the alicorn to get a divination answer.

"Luna" Celestia insisted "I need you to answer clearly. Your not making sense." Luna then gave the answer that sent a wave of cold through Celestia.

"Sombra... I fear Sombra has taken control of Twilight Sparkle." Celestia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Just the notion alone was ridiculous But she didn't have time to process the string of information before Luna asked again.

"Celestia, where is Twilight Sparkle?!" Celestia confused looked at Luna and gave the only answer she had.

"Twilight and the others are on their way too the Crystal Empire. Luna you need to calm down. Sombra is dangerous yes but he cannot simply take control of one like Twilight she is to aware and isn't weak minded in any sense." Luna was reassured little by Celestia's explanation.

"I don't believe that sister if I'm correct-"

"If you are correct we shall deal with it when the time comes. For now let us depart we need to meet the others in the empire." With that the two teleported from the throne room.

Miles away Starlight looked out the train window watching the scenery roll by. Starlight sat alone while the other 6 were scattered around the private car. Strangely enough Spike sat himself nearby. The fact he wasn't sitting close to Twilight for whatever reason seemed strange. But hell who was she to judge. Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow and Rarity sat on the opposite end of the car. Starlight sat herself as far away as possible.

Starlight couldn't help but think about the dream last night. What was going on? What had Luna so scared? That got to her. If it scared Luna it had to be bad. But how does this date correspond with Twilight strange behavior? The more she though anout it the more her head hurt. Shaking her head Starlight settled in at least attempting to relax.

If what Twilight had said was true she'd need it.

Sunburst... Sunburst. After so many years, was she truely ready to see him again? Twilight seemed to think so but was she...truly ready? Only time would tell if that sentiment was reality. Would he accept her?

She didn't have an answer and that in and of itself scared her far more than Twilight.
"Starlight?" Her attention was diverted from her thoughts by a certain pegasi with a purple dragon on her back.
"Is something wrong Starlight?" Spike askes jumping from Fluttershy's back to the bench seat.

Starlight looked out the window away from the two. "I'm not sure if continuing on like this is right for me." She looks back at the two she felt she could almost call friends. "It's not that I hate you all. At least not anymore I am past that, but... Twilight is just making things so difficult I..." exhaling and slouching down in her seat Starlight to the floor her ears still picking up bits and pieces of the conversation on the other side of the car. "I just don't know anymore."

"Starlight" Fluttershy softly asks as she approaches and Spike moves to allow her to sit next to Starlight. "Starlight it's okay. Your having a hard time adjusting, I understand. Twilight on the other hoof I'm sure is just under alot of stress. While yes she has been... difficult. I know she still cares." Still seeing the uncertainty behind Starlight's eyes Fluttershy thinks of something that could improve things. A thought pops into her head as Fluttershy readjusts in her seat.

"What if I took you with me on vacation?"

"Vacation?"Fluttershy simply nods leaning forward with a smile beaming from her lips.

"Yep, I've been planning to take one for some time and I think I've just found the perfect time. So what do you think? After this is resolved we take a vacation just you and me. I was thinking about Vanhoover." Starlight smiles as a light chuckle escapes her.

"You know what Fluttershy...I think I'll take you up on that. It sounds like fun." Fluttershy smiles again hoping off the bench and walking down the train car. Giving one last bright smile as she rejoined the others.

That just left her and Spike. Wait... oh crud she forgot Spike was there too.

Looking over about to apologize she stopped apon the sight next to her. The dragon in question had fallen asleep and it looked like he liked her tail as his pillow. Gently Starlight grabbed and readjusted his position so he instead used her legs as a pillow and her tail as a blanket. Laying down soon Starlight found the embrace of sleep as she decided a nap would do her good. It would be a long way to the empire and she needed all the rest she could get.

"Ohh Starliiigghht" a voice echoed through the dark void. Starlight looked around seeing little but fog. "Come here my little star don't you want to spend time with me?"

The dark chill filled Starlight's body like water sending her into a terror induced sprint. "You can't escape me little star I know everything about you." Starlight didn't stop she couldn't stop she had to get away she had one chance. A wall appeared in front of her and the nightmare transformed.

A shadow slowly crept over her. Horror filling her mind.

"Starlight... Starlight??"

The far away voice made Starlight lightly shift as she starting to wake from her sleep. Moaning she cracks open an eye to see... "Rarity?"

"It's time to wake up dear. We've arrived everyone is waiting." Rarity says smiling at her. Yawning Starlight sits up seeing Spike wasn't laying on her legs anymore. With a stretch Starlight follows Rarity out of the train and onto the platform. The small chill running along her skin slightly dulling the growing headache within her head. The Crystal City... so this is where Sunburst has lived for so many years. So immersed is she in the sight Starlight fails to hear Twilight calling out to her....

"Starlight!"

"Ahh!" Starlight jumps almost hitting the train she just exited.

"Can you Please pay attention." Twilight gave her a light scowl together with her annoyed tone.

"Umm right sorry." Starlight apologies as Twilight continues talking.

"As I was saying the five of us will be going with my brother to the palace. Spike you will take Starlight and head over to Sunburst's so she can put everything behind her and they can reconnect with each other. Sound good everyone?" Those present aside from Fluttershy and Starlight all nod. This is unnoticed by Twilight as she turns with most of the group following. Only Spike and Fluttershy stay with Starlight, As Fluttershy walks closer.

"Starlight I'm sorry to leave like this but.." Starlight however was quick to stop her unnecessary apology.

"It's alright Fluttershy you go catch up with the others. This may seem weird but for once I agree with Twilight, even if she's borderline insane." Starlight muttered knowing today was gonna suck.

"Anyway I should catch up with the others." Fluttershy starts away when she stops. "And Starlight, Your a good pony I know you have it in you, believe in yourself and I think you'll find life much more fulfilling." With those words Fluttershy flew away to catch up with the others. Watching Fluttershy fly off in between the crystalline buildings Starlight found her lips stretching into a genuine smile. She had friends again. Now if only Sunburst would be just as easy.

Walking through the Crystal city was a strange feeling for Starlight. An entire city basically made out of crystals foundation and all? Coming to the central plaza Starlight quickly took notice of one very peculiar statue smack in the center. There standing proudly was a crystal sculpture of Spike holding a heart.

"Spike... Is that a sculpture of you?" Starlight asked stopping as they passed by.

"Oh ho ho yeah!" He chuckled "The crystal ponies created it after we defeated Sombra."

"Why??" Spike stopped looking back at the unicorn.

"Well..." he started before stopping himself. "We really shouldn't get sidetracked we have to get you to Sunburst's.. h- hey!" Spike found himself levitating into a nearby seat via Starlight's magical aura.

"Oh no we're not going anywhere yet. I want to here all about this." Starlight sat herself down on a nearby lawnchair as a small group of admirers surrounded the little dragon. A smile came apon Starlight's face as she shoved a hoof full of popcorn into her mouth. Knowing Spike couldn't resist feeding his ego. She knew she won this round.

At The Castle

The group of six ponies made their way through the brightly pleasant halls of the Crystal palace. Many admiring how it was constructed all but three. At the back of the group Fluttershy walked alongside Rainbow The two talking about recent events.

"So when you went to the hospital it wasn't because of Starlight?" Fluttershy shakes her head and smiles.
"No if it wasn't for Starlight I could have had much worse than just this fracture." Fluttershy says jestering to the pad on her cheek.
"Doesn't that hurt, I mean I've been hurt before but that just looks like you should still be in the hospital."

"In all honesty I should be home resting but if I can yell at Twilight while just suffering a large hoof to the face I can be here. Besides I need to keep Twilight's aggression towards Starlight in check." If Twilight heard Fluttershy she didn't let it show as the group arrived in the bedroom. All their attention drawn to the bundle held to Cadence' chest.

Cadence and Shining looked like death. Pale skin, bloodshot eyes, matted hair, and deep bags under their eyes.

Cadence looked up from the bundle. "Oh! Twilight it's yawn it's good to see you. How was your..." she slowed yaening again.

"Cadence, Shining when was the last time you slept?" Twilight asked worryingly as Cadence put the bundle in a bed next to her. Oh it's okay I think it's only been two days...or three, maybe?" She was so mentally tired she didn't know what day it was. By the stars! Twilight thought horrified.

Seeing Twilight's horrified expression she smiled. "Don't worry I think she's finally asleep."

"Only took four hours this time new record" Shining cheered with the enthusiasm of a drugged billy goat. Finally falling over with a hard thud.

"Well that was.... interesting." Rarity commented as Rainbow and Twilight looked on disturbed. Completely missing Applejack' sympathetic look at the couple. Fluttershy just giggled directed Applejack and Rarity to help get them in bed leaving Twilight and Rainbow to process what they just saw.

The two horrified ponies looked at each other agreeing and hoping to never experience that kind of hell.

Elsewhere Starlight grumbled under her breath Spike had finished his story and quickly put them back on track. Now they walked along the stone steets looking for that ever elusive house. Now it seemed to be time after so long the two stood infront of a small single story house.

"Spike I can't do this! I can't just walk up and after what ten-twelve years just do THIS!" Starlight's anxiety was syarting to overtake her before Spike took her face in his claws. "Starlight do you not trust Fluttershy?" The sentence caused Starlight to stop.

"Wh-What?" She asked confused as if not understanding what was asked.

Spike looked at her and asked again "Starlight Glimmer.. do you not trust Fluttershy after what she said. She said she believed in you she said she believes you to be a better pony than what Twilight sees. Now do you think she was lying or do you believe you deserve better than what you were?"

A shocked silence follows as a now calm Starlight stood and looked to the door walking further she steadily raised a hoof.

Author's Note

If you read the original you'll know this is the part when things startedto take a sharp right into very dark territory.
I'll try to avoid that this time but as a novice I make no promises.

Also Merry Christmas all have a good holiday season!