Author's Note
I know this is graphomania, but I just couldn't resist writing this fanfic.
A Pleasant Punishment
Twilight was in many different alternate timelines because of Starlight Glimmer and modified spell of Starswirl the Bearded, allowing to time-travel - she had seen a version of their world, where King Sombra took over Crystal Empire, which covered over a half of Equestria (or rather the Equestria from original timeline) land.
She also witnessed the war with Changelings, when Zecora and her allies (including Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy) found them and then were attacked by evil shapeshifting creatures.
Finally, Starlight threw them into the timeline, where it was eternal night and Equestria was under Nightmare Moon reign. It was a close call, because the black alicorn almost yanked Twilight back with her magic when she was getting into the time portal, but luckily for Twilight and all of the present, she was able to get out of magical grip and escape to the timeline where she would face Starlight Glimmer.
Twilight and Spike were in the time-space tunnel. Twilight huffed from annoyance and started speaking:
"This Starlight is driving me insane. I must stop her or we'll fight like that for all eternity!"- Twilight exclaimed to Spike
"But what are you going to do, Twilight? She's too powerful to be taken down even with your alicorn magic" - he responded
"Don't worry - I have a plan" - Twilight said with a smirk on her face
When they got back to the past that Starlight wanted to change, Twilight noticed grinning former cult leader and scowled at her. Starlight was "flying" thanks to her magic allowing her to hover in the air.
"Alright! I'm so done with you!" - Twilight yelled at Starlight
"Oh, but I'm not done with you yet" - she replied, still grinning - "I'm just getting started"
"Then fight me here and now, you coward!" - Twilight yelled, making a grin on Starlight's face gradually disappear
"OK - I didn't expect you to say that." - Starlight said, still in shock - "Alright, let's fight!"
With that being said, two powerful magic wielders began fighting. Strong magical blasts were shot everywhere. Pegasi, who were in Cloudsdale before they appeared from future decided that it was the best not to disturb the two mares fighting and just resumed their activities, even young Rainbow Dash went back to race. Spike however, was hiding behind a cloud and thanks to Twilight's spell she casted on him before fighting with Starlight, he was able to walk on them.
After ten minutes of fighting, Twilight was suddenly surrounded by blue magic. She soon realized that Starlight held her mid-air with full strength and dragged Spike back from his hideout. Lilac-coated pony was enraged, to say the least.
"Enough!! You are so stubborn that words fail me!" - Starlight shouted, glaring hatefully at Twilight and Spike - "So here's where you meet your end" - she added with wicked smile
Starlight, still holding Twilight and Spike, was charging the ultimate blast that was going to annihilate them. She was so focused on charging the blast she didn't notice that Twilight and her dragon broke free from her magical grip.
After, what seemed like forever, Starlight shot really massive blast that no creature would survive. Despite the powerful blast, Twilight stayed right on its path
"Twilight! We are going to get shot!" - Spike exclaimed
"Wait for it!" - Twilight said - "NOW!"
Twilight lit her horn up and quickly teleported them both just before Starlight's blast reached them.
When the blast flew further and soon vanished, Starlight saw that Twilight and Spike were gone. She was happy.
"Hehe, one...no - two less. Now I can go ahead and lead my village." - Starlight said - "Wait - no. With Twilight being no more, I can rule ALL of Equestria" - she added and laughed ominously
She didn't know that Twilight and Spike were behind her. Moreover, Twilight lit her horn up and shot Starlight with small magical blast containing stunning spell.
Starlight heard the blast coming, but before she could react and try to avoid being hit, it blasted her in the head. She fell onto the cloud, lying on her back. Her ears were ringing and her eyelids were about to droop. She fought as she could to stay awake, but stunning effect was too strong to resist.
With her eyes gradually closing, Starlight spotted Twilight with Spike on her back and it seemed they were flying towards her.
No... - she whispered, before her eyes closed as she lost all remaining consciousness.
Twilight landed in front of knocked-out Starlight with worried expression on her face. She was afraid that she might have accidentally killed Starlight. Thankfully, she was breathing and her pulse was still detectable.
"Okay, she is still alive. But to make sure she won't try to change the timeline again or attack us..." - Twilight said and used her magic to summon thick rope to tie Starlight's hooves up, with her forehooves on her back, but not too tight, so she won't suffer, then used some cloth to cover her mouth, so she couldn't speak and casted powerful spell on Starlight's horn to prevent her from using magic.
Then, Sonic Rainboom appeared on the sky. Both of them were relieved that timeline might not be affected by Starlight.
Twilight used her magic to cast a spell on time-travel scroll to get back to the original present. When she did that, a portal appeared. Twilight carried Spike on her back and still unconscious, tied up and gagged Starlight in her hooves.
They all entered the portal and landed in the room with Cutie Map. The scroll got out of Spike's grip and hovered above the map. It soon removed the bluish glow from it, which meant the spell Starlight casted on the map was cancelled. Then, the scroll flew into the portal.
Once the portal shut, it emited white glow and white particles.
Her 5 friends entered the room.
"What is Equestria was THAT?!" - Rarity asked
"Is everypony OK?" - fluttershy asked worried
"EEEEE! Can you do it again?" - Pinkie Pie asked cheerfully.
Applejack, as a first of the group, noticed motionless Starlight, lying on the floor, all tied up.
"What she doin' here" - she asked with stern look - "and why she look like that?"
"No. Way. You caught her!" - Rainbow Dash exclaimed totally proud of Twilight
"But is she fine?" - Fluttershy asked, putting her hoof on Starlight's shoulder.
"Yes, she is fine. I can assure you. She is just stunned" - Twilight replied and added - "and if you could leave us for some time, I'd be grateful. I will tell you everything later"
"Okie-dokie-lokie" - Pinkie said. The rest of the group just nodded and followed Pinkie Pie to the exit.
After a while, Starlight began waking up. As soon as she looked up, she saw Twilight staring at her with earnest smile. Starlight wanted to stand up and fight the princess, yet none of these were possible - all she could do is lie and wiggle on the floor.
She instantly noticed she is tied up and cannot use her magic. She wanted to shout and get help, but no avail because of the gag. Tears started to fill her eyes as she realized she is at Twilight's mercy.
"Finally you woke up" - Twilight said, gazing at former cult leader, removing the cloth from her mouth
"P-please don't hurt m-me" - Starlight sobbed - "I-I'm sorry for everything, but please"
"Shhh...it's ok Starlight, I won't hurt you" - Twilight soothed, but added with stern look - "if you cooperate"
"Anything, but please - don't send me to Tartarus or turn into stone, PLEASE" - Starlight begged
"Then I'm sure you'd love being my body pillow" - Twilight replied with wide smile
Starlight was confused with Twilight's statement. A body pillow? Her? WHAT? How would it even be like? And why would Twilight offer her to be her body pillow instead of throwing Starlight into prison?
"So, what do you say?" - Twilight said
"Wait! Did I hear correctly? I'm going to be kind of your pillow now?" - Starlight asked, still confused by Twilight's statement.
"Yes - a body pillow. I mean hugging and cuddling you in the bed. I was already going to rest after that lecture you were on" - she replied with smirk - "and maybe I will think about being your friendship teacher in the future"
"And what if I disagree?" - Starlight asked curiously. It wasn't that she didn't like Twilight idea, but she was wondering what would the princess do if she disagreed.
"Then I will report your deeds to the princesses and you'll be at their mercy. And considering the fact that you assaulted the royalty - me - by stealing my Cutie Mark and pushing me to many different timelines, as well as kept me against my will in the village, your punishment would be really severe." - Twilight explained
Starlight's ears flopped and her eyes widened. She was smart enough to know it's horrible idea to test Twilight's patience at this moment, especially when she is offering a punishment that might be pleasant, that might be even a...reward?
"I guess your idea is better, princess Twilight" - Starlight said with shy smile
"There you go! And no need to be so formal - call me Twilight"
Then, Twilight used her magic to teleport her and Starlight to her bedroom. After that, she lifted Starlight with her magic and placed her on the bed.
Before Twilight lied down on the bed, Starlight asked her:
"Am I going to be tied up with this rope all the time?" - she looked at Twilight - "it's getting painful"
"It depends on you. If you will be nice and won't cause any problem, I will release you from this rope. But if you become troublesome, you will stay in this rope and I will bring you to the princesses" - Twilight threatened
"So, if we have explained some things, get ready to be cuddled!" - she exclaimed as she lied near Starlight
With that being said, Twilight wrapped Starlight in the embrace, with her chest near Starlight's face. Starlight couldn't believe she was thinking about it, but the hug was very welcoming and comforting. It's been a years since she was hugged with such an affection and warmth - it was even weirder that she received that hug from a pony she considered her archenemy no more than 2 hours ago. But she decided to accept her fate of being alicorn's body pillow.
After a while, Twilight noticed something - Starlight wasn't causing any trouble, she was calm and even small smile was on her muzzle. She knew exactly what to do with it.
Twilight stopped hugging Starlight, lit her horn up again, but this time it was to release her from ropes and cancel magic-blocking spell on her horn. Starlight felt relief, because the ropes were giving pain to her hooves.
Twilight on the other hand was a bit wary when she embraced Starlight without her restraints. But Starlight didn't attack her after she was released from ropes - instead, she was lying peacefully and wrapped her foreleg around Twilight - like a filly seeking comfort.
The princess couldn't help but smile at Starlight. She looked so adorable and it was even harder that not that much time ago she was dangerous unicorn. She decided to rub Starlight's cheek with a hoof. The lilac-coated unicorn was completely caught off-guard because of that, but quickly her whole self relaxed and let things be. She scooted closer to the alicorn and buried her face in Twilight's chest fur.
After an hour in the embrace, Starlight was feeling sleepy because the hug was really comfortable. She scooted back, put a hoof to her mouth, yawned and stretched her body only to soon drift off to slumber.
Twilight watched Starlight sleep while stroking her mane with a smile. Soon, she got up, lifted her up with her magic and teleported to one of the guest room and placed Starlight on the other bed.
"Sleep well, Starlight. It was tiring day, wasn't it?" - Twilight said when leaving the room.
