When Star's Align

The apartment wasn’t anything grand, just a cozy little place in Manehattan tucked between two coffee shops and a building that looked suspiciously like it used to be a bookstore. Still, it suited Star Tracker perfectly—neat, organized, and a bit crammed with everything from his amateur astronomy books to a whole stack of Starswirl Monthly magazines, lined up in order of issue.

I levitated an old blanket out of the closet and folded it, adding it to the growing stack of items we’d already packed into the boxes we’d brought. Star Tracker was buzzing around, grabbing anything he could reach and carefully stacking it next to me with his touch of precision.

“You know, Twilight, this is... honestly amazing,” he said, his voice soft, like he didn’t want to break the quiet focus of packing. “I-I never imagined actually getting to live in the Castle of Friendship with you. It’s like… almost a dream!”

I chuckled, setting the blanket on top of the nearest box. "Well, it’s not quite a dream, Star Tracker, though I’ll admit it feels a bit surreal to me too! I haven’t shared my space with anyone like this before—well, other than Spike."

Star Tracker let out a nervous chuckle, shuffling his hooves a bit as he glanced over at me. “Yeah, I-I mean, it’s a really big thing to, you know… move into a princess’s castle,” he said, a shy smile flickering across his face. “Spike’s lucky to have had so much time there with you.”

“Well, he practically grew up with me, so it’s all he’s known!” I replied, giving one of the boxes a little push to the side. “But honestly, I’m glad I get to share it with somepony else now. You’re not just anypony; after all, you’re a prize winner and my friend."

He chuckled. "Well, I only entered the contest with the thought of being with you; I didn't actually think I would win."

I thought back to that day and giggled a bit at the way he was acting around me back then. "Yeah, heck, you were so excited that I thought you were going to take off into the sky."

He chuckled as he remembered that day. "Yeah, I kind of lost myself when I heard you call out my ticket number. I mean, I looked up to you. You basically have everything: a peaceful town, great friends, and you’ve saved Equestria more times than I can count."

I smiled at his words, putting my hoof to my chin before saying, "Well, thanks for saying that; it’s quite flattering to hear that you think of me that way. I really shouldn’t have acted towards you the way I did, but now that I look back on it, it was kind of adorable—well, other than the times you got way too close to my face."

“Ha, yeah, sorry about that,” he said as we continued to pack the rest of his stuff.

As we sorted through his belongings, I couldn’t help but notice how at ease we were together. It felt natural, like we’d been friends for ages instead of just a couple of days. “You know,” I said, trying to keep the conversation light, “I never thought I’d be sharing my castle with a pony who’s practically a walking encyclopedia of astronomy.”

He chuckled, as he put some of his books into another box. “And I never thought I’d get to share living space with the Princess of Friendship herself. It’s kind of like living in a library that also has a throne room. What do you think—should I start checking out books from my own home?”

Absolutely! Just make sure to return them on time; I have a strict no-late-fees policy,” I teased, smiling at him.

He rolled his eyes dramatically. “Oh no! The Princess will revoke my library privileges if I’m late! Whatever will I do?”

I laughed, and for a moment, it felt like all the royal duties and expectations faded away. “Well, just don’t forget to take your books to the library before dinner, or I might have to send Spike after you!”

“Uh-oh! Not Spike!” he exclaimed, his eyes widening in mock fear. “He’d probably just breathe fire on me if I don’t comply.”

Before long, we were finally done packing, and I used my magic to carry the boxes as we made our way to the train station. “You know, this is a nice change of pace,” I said, glancing over at him as we walked. “Living together and everything.”

“Yeah, it’ll be... interesting,” Star Tracker replied, scratching the back of his neck nervously. “But it will be nice to finally wake up and be able to hang out with other ponies instead of being isolated all the time. Sometimes I feel like I’m more of a hermit than an astronomer.”

I nodded, understanding where he was coming from. “I get that. Even as a princess, it can be easy to feel isolated. It’s important to find friends and connect with others, especially when you’re always surrounded by responsibilities. I’m glad I have my own friends to get me out of the castle once in a while, which reminds me—I should probably introduce you to them at some point when we’re back in Ponyville.”

Star Tracker’s eyes widened a bit, a mixture of excitement and nervousness crossing his face. “You mean your friends like Rainbow Dash and Rarity?”

“Of course! You’ll love them. Plus, they’re really friendly and love making new friends, especially Pinkie Pie” I said, trying to reassure him.

“Yeah, I heard of Pinkie; she’s the out-of-control party pony,” he replied, chuckling nervously. “I just hope I can get along with them. I get a bit nervous around a lot of ponies that are focused on me.”

“Oh, don’t worry about Pinkie!” I reassured him, waving a hoof dismissively. “She’s super friendly, but she also knows how to tone it down if she sees somepony is nervous. Just be prepared for the occasional surprise party, though!”

Star Tracker’s eyes widened. “Surprise parties? What kind of surprises are we talking about here?”

“Only the best kind!” I said, trying to stifle a giggle. “Like, balloons, confetti, and probably a dozen cupcakes. You know, the usual.”

“Ugh, cupcakes… Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I might just explode from all that sugar!” he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Don’t say that! I need you for stargazing! But I’ll make sure Pinkie knows you have a strict no-sugar policy—at least until after we look at the stars,” I said with a smirk.

“Fair enough! But in all seriousness, I’m really grateful to have you around. It makes this whole moving-in thing feel a lot less daunting,” he said, his tone becoming sincere.

I felt a warm flutter in my chest. “I’m really glad to hear that. I want this to be a fun experience for both of us! I know it can be tough to meet new ponies, but I promise it’ll be worth it. They’re all wonderful in their own ways.”

Star Tracker nodded, his determination returning. “Okay, I’ll give it my best shot. And if things get too overwhelming, I can always hide behind you, right?”

“Not a chance,” I said, giggling a bit. Before long, we made it to the train station and managed to get all the boxes in with a bit of struggling.

“And there,” I said, stacking the last box against the back of the train car before I sat down beside Star Tracker. “Now we can take a moment to breathe before the ride.”

He let out a relieved sigh, wiping his forehead. “I didn’t think moving could be this exhausting. I think I’m ready to hibernate for the rest of winter!”

I laughed, nudging him gently with my shoulder. “Oh, come on! It’s not that bad! Think of it as a workout. Plus, you’ll need your energy for all the fun we’re going to have.”

“Fun, huh?” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Like what? Sorting through all these boxes?”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “Okay, maybe not sorting, but we’ll be decorating your new room! That counts as fun, right?”

Star Tracker leaned back, looking up at the ceiling of the train car. “I suppose. But I was kind of hoping for more adventure than just arranging furniture.”

“Adventure is just around the corner! You’ll see. We can explore Ponyville, visit new places, and definitely check out the stars together. Just think of all the stories you’ll have to share!” I said, my excitement bubbling up again.

“Okay, you’re right,” he admitted, a smile creeping back onto his face. “I guess I am looking forward to seeing what Ponyville has to offer. Just as long as it doesn’t involve too much social interaction right away!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll ease you into it! We can take our time,” I promised. “And if you ever feel overwhelmed, just give me the ‘Twilight SOS’ signal.”

He chuckled at that. “What’s the ‘Twilight SOS’ signal? A frantic wave of a hoof, or should it be me shouting your name?” he said, clearly joking.

“Definitely the frantic wave! Yelling my name might draw more attention than necessary!” I replied, giggling.

As the train began to move, we settled in for the ride. I glanced out the window, watching the familiar landscape of Equestria zoom by. “You know, I think you’re going to really love it here. There’s always something happening in Ponyville.”

Star Tracker leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “I hope so. It feels like a big change for me, but I’m ready to try. I mean, if I’m living in the Castle of Friendship, I guess I should expect some excitement, right?”

“Absolutely! Besides, who wouldn’t want to live in a castle?” I teased. “Just think of it: a castle with all the books and magic you could ever want!”

He grinned at that, his earlier nervousness beginning to fade. “That’s true! I’ll probably never run out of reading material. And I’m definitely looking forward to all those stargazing nights we’ve talked about.”

“Just wait until we set up that telescope!” I said, my excitement building again. “I have some great spots in mind for observing the stars. We’ll make it a regular thing.”

“Stargazing with Princess Twilight Sparkle—now that sounds like a dream come true,” he said with a genuine smile on his face before looking over to me and pulling me into a warm hug.

I was taken aback for a moment, surprised by the sudden hug, but then I felt a flutter of warmth in my chest making me smile hugging him back. “I’m glad you’re excited,” I said softly. “I’m excited too! It’s going to be great.”

As we broke the hug, Star Tracker looked at me with a serious expression. “Thank you for everything, Twilight. Really. I don’t think I can express how much it means to me that you’re willing to share your space and time with me. I’ve always admired you from a distance, and now to be here... it feels surreal.”

I waved a hoof dismissively, but my cheeks warmed at his words. “You don’t have to thank me. I want to share my home with my friends. Plus, it’s nice to have someone to share stargazing with. It can get lonely at times, even in the castle.”

“Still, I appreciate it,” he insisted, his sincerity shining through. “I just hope I can be as good a friend to you as you’ve been to me.”

“You already are, Star Tracker,” I said, smiling warmly. “Just being yourself is more than enough.”

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the train windows, the rhythmic clattering of the train lulled us into a comfortable silence. We shared stories and laughter, the day slowly winding down. But as the darkness enveloped the landscape, I noticed Star Tracker’s eyelids growing heavy.

Before long, he had fallen asleep beside me, his head gently resting on my shoulder. At first, I felt a rush of confusion, not knowing what to do. I could feel the warmth of his presence and the soft rhythm of his breathing. Glancing down at him, I felt a smile tug at my lips. He looked so peaceful, a small smile playing on his lips even in his sleep.

I shifted slightly to get more comfortable, careful not to wake him. My heart swelled with a mix of affection and fondness as I watched him, the soft glow of the train lights illuminating his features. It was a sweet moment that felt just right, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this new friendship.

Eventually, the train began to slow, and I knew we were approaching Ponyville. The familiar sights of the village greeted us through the windows, and I felt a surge of excitement. I gently nudged Star Tracker awake, whispering, “Hey, we’re almost there.”

He stirred, blinking a few times before sitting up straight, looking a bit dazed. “Did I fall asleep?” he asked sheepishly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

“Just a little,” I replied, stifling a giggle. “But it was cute. You looked like you were having a great dream.”

His cheeks flushed slightly as he glanced out the window, taking in the sight of our home. “Wow, it’s beautiful,” he said, his eyes sparkling with wonder.

As the train came to a complete stop, I stood up and helped him gather his things. My heart raced with anticipation as I stepped off the train, looking back at him with a smile. “Welcome home, Star Tracker,” I said, extending my hoof in invitation.