Watchmare

With the arrival of winter, the ponies were excited, Hearth's Warming Eve was coming, this alleviated the tensions and instability that Equestria was going through, the Iron Hammer Syndicate gave in, they stopped their activities, the snow covered the roofs of the houses, while Twilight would read and reread books about the holiday, Celestia and Luna would meet with the leaders of the other nations, Prince Rutherford of Yakakistan, Supreme General Golden Valley of Fortekzia, Prince Warlen Arafat of Saddle Arabia, Emperor Malawi Ekoko of Zeebrundia, and finally Princess Cadance and Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire, Equestria's greatest ally, all leaders gathered at Canterlot Palace, Chief Thunderhooves of the Buffalo Tribe, located in Appleloosa, was already present at the site, the Two Sisters and Chief Buffalo were in the castle courtyard, awaiting the arrival of the leaders.

A carriage with a yellow, red and blue flag, with a vertical gray rhombus, and a smaller, dark gray rhombus descended in the courtyard, it was a rectangular, robust carriage, capable of flying, when landing, the double doors of the black vehicle opened. opened, two unicorn ponies came out, both were dressed in olive green uniforms with golden sleeves, their caps had a golden brim, their faces were covered with a cloth beige, on the left front paw of each one, there was a holster with a pistol, next to the two, assault rifles secured in their battle cells, the two soldiers stood facing each other, in parallel with the carriage, in synchrony, they stamped their right hoof on the ground and saluted, an Earth pony with a dark gray jacket, golden shoulder pads and insignia on its chest came out of there, its cap was gray, it had the emblem of the Forces Armed with Fortekzia, its coat was brown, the middle of its face up to its snout was light, its mustache and sideburns were yellow, its eyes were green, the stallion approached the three leaders present in the courtyard:

“I thank you for the invitation to such an event, Princesses Celestia and Luna, and greetings, Chief Thunderhooves!” Golden Valley greeted, with an authoritative posture.

“We appreciate your presence, Supreme General Golden Valley.” Celestia replied, always benevolent and kind.

“Welcome back, Supreme General.” Luna said, initially with a serious expression, which soon changed to an expression of happiness.

“Good to see you too, Valley!” the buffalo exclaimed, nodding his head.

“You can just call me Golden Valley, dear Princesses!” said the leader of Fortekzia, in a more relaxed but still formal manner.

The Fortekzian soldiers closed the doors of their leader's carriage, heading towards the nobles, with the Golden Valley carriage being removed, another aerial vehicle was approaching, it was a large vehicle, large double doors, its structure shone like crystal, as it landed, a furry, horned creature came out, “Yak had a good trip, Yak is grateful for the invitation from Pony Princesses, Yak happy to be here!” Prince Rutherford said.

“Welcome, Mr Rutherford!” Celestia exclaimed, nodding her head.

“Is there a pink pony? Yak haven't seen pink pony for a long time!” asked the leader of Yakakistan, looking around.

“No, Pinkie Pie isn't there, but we can call her if that's better.” Celestia let out a light laugh.

“Good afternoon, everyone!” Cadance exclaimed, Princess of the Crystal Empire, who got out of the carriage right after Rutherford, along with her husband and daughter, Flurry Heart.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman!” Valley greeted, two crystal ponies came out of the carriage, members of the Royal Guard of the same nation, the carriage had been taken, as well as Valley's carriage.

“Hello Valley, it's good to see you!” Shining Armor said, upon seeing the brown Earthman.

“It's a pleasure to see you again.” Valley replied, nodding his head.

Two more aerial carriages landed at the location, one whose flag was black and white, forming two triangles, and a golden circle in the middle, this carriage had a rounded design, its color was dark gray. The second carriage, black in color, had a green flag with a white horseshoe in the center and written in Arabic, Malawi Ekoko came out of the dark gray carriage, two guards came out soon after, the Prince of Arabia Selada came out of the other carriage, wearing a white cloth on his head, and a white shirt with a faded sea green chest, his guards wore red scarves with white polka dots on their heads, sabers were placed on their saddles, on the other side, rifles, both leaders approached those who were already there:

“Greetings, gentlemen!” Malawi exclaimed, tapping his hoof on his chest as a gesture of greeting.

“Hello ladies and gentlemen!” Warlen said, nodding his head.

“Welcome everyone to Equestria!” Celestia said, in a sweet and receptive tone.

As the leaders greeted each other, the atmosphere in the Palace was a mix of formality and expectation, this was the first time that Equestria invited other leaders to an event like that, although the reception was warm, tension still hovered subtly, everyone They knew that the meeting would transcend the festivities of the Hearth’s Warming Eve, even in times of joy and unity, important matters would still be taken into account, that night would be the first meeting of others in the coming days.

*** *** ***

In the dining room, Celestia and Luna sat at the ends of the table, while the other leaders sat on the sides, the waiters came out of the kitchen, carrying traditional equestrian dishes on silver trays:

“My friends and allies, it is a great pleasure to have you here, I appreciate your presence, Prince Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Prince Rutherford, Prince Warlen Arafat, Malawi Emperor Ekoko, Supreme General Golden Valley, Chief Thunderhooves… and you too, Flurry Heart!” Celestia said, looking at the daughter of Cadance and Shining Armor with a smile, Flurry let out a laugh, and Celestia continued, “Hearth's Warm Night approaches, and we will not only share gifts, but also memories and time with each other.”

The room fell silent, which was soon broken by the applause of the other leaders, each person began to serve themselves. During dinner, conversations came and went, it was a relaxed moment. Meanwhile, Twilight got tired of reading, Spike was surprised by the Princess of Friendship's exhaustion, her mane was messy, sadness was written on her face, her head remained resting on a stack of books from the castle's library, her eyes were droopy and the head tilted, Spike approached:

“Erh… Twilight, is everything okay?” the dragon asked, placing its claws on the Princess's back.

“Yes, of course, it's okay Spike…” Twilight raised her head and looked at Spike with a slight smile, trying to hide her suffering.

“Twilight, you know you can count on me, right? Whatever's going on... you can tell me.” Spike tilted his head, worried, but keeping his voice calm.

Twilight sighed deeply, “Spike, I... I'm just thinking about Starlight... with her decision to just leave the castle and never talk to me again... I mean, one day she was going to go her own way, but no… like that…”

“Twilight, Starlight is one of the strongest and smartest ponies we know. I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she just needs time to grow and learn on her own, just like you did when you started your journey.” Spike said, in an attempt to comfort his friend.

Twilight left the library and walked through the castle, while Spike followed her and she said, “Me, Spike but... what if she gets lost? What if she ends up enslaving ponies again? What if she comes back with Egalitarianism? What if she enslaves Equestria?” Twilight arrived on the balcony, at the end of the hallway, leaning on the railing, watching the snow fall slowly, “What if she's going back in time and makes the same mistakes as before?”

“Maybe... it's time for you to visit her, Twilight. Not as a princess or mentor, but as a friend!” Twilight opened her eyes at Spike's suggestion.

“Do you think I should?” Twilight asked, looking back.

“Of course! Sometimes a simple visit from a friend can mean the world, Twilight. You know how important it is to have someone there to support you, even when you think you don't need it. Starlight may be dealing with her own issues, but I'm sure she'll be relieved to see that you still care about her.” Spike replied, with a smile.

“But what if she thinks I'm intruding? That I don't trust her to follow her own path? What if I'm wrong about the possibility of Socialism being the same as Egalitarianism?” Twilight guessed, pacing back and forth.

Spike lightly patted Twilight on the back, then smiled, “What if she actually thinks you trust her? A friend who didn't give up on her. The worst that can happen is that you show that you're there for her, and there's nothing wrong with that.”

Twilight took a deep breath, feeling lighter, “You're right, Spike. Starlight is my friend. If I really care about her, I need to show it, and not stay here, stuck in my fears.”

“That's the Twilight I know!” Spike exclaimed, giving a jump of enthusiasm.

Twilight watched the snow slowly gather on the sill, and turned to Spike again, “Thanks, Spike, I'm going to see Starlight right now!”

The alicorn left the balcony quickly, within a few seconds, Spike leaned against the railing, seeing Twilight leave the front of the castle, her hooves stamped on the ground of Ponyville, even though she didn't know where Starlight was, Twilight continued running looking for her friend.

*** *** ***

At the castle in Canterlot, dessert had been served, the tone of the conversations began to change to a more serious tone, Celestia's chair creaked against the floor, the Princess was now standing, drawing the attention of the other leaders, who ceased the dialogues. to pay attention to the white-coated alicorn:

“My esteemed guests, thank you for accepting our invitation to share this moment of celebration. However, we also recognize that this meeting is an opportunity to discuss the tensions and challenges that have affected not just Equestria, but all of our lands.” Celestia began, “Recent conflicts and growing instability in some regions have shown us the need for closer collaboration between our nations. This is not only a time of festivities, but also a time to reaffirm our commitments to peace and mutual prosperity.”

“I agree, Princess, the world is changing rapidly, and we will only be able to face these challenges by working together. However, we need to ensure that our military is prepared to protect what we have built.” Valley said, with a serious expression.

“Yakakistan wants peace, but peace needs strength! No strength, no peace for Yak, Zebra and Pony.” Rutherford reinforced, with his robust tone, nodding his head.

Malawi puffed out his chest and spoke firmly, with a slight smile on his face, “Certainly, but it is worth mentioning that the most powerful force is mutual cooperation.”

Luna, who was just observing, intervened, “That's exactly what this meeting was called for. We want to hear the needs and concerns of each nation represented here, so that we can chart a joint path forward. Hearth's Warming Eve is about togetherness, and I believe we can carry that spirit beyond the festivities.”

And so, the conversation flowed, proposals and reaffirmations of friendship began to occur there, although it was a moment of formality and diplomacy, some laughter was heard, little did they know what was coming.

*** *** ***

After a lot of running, the Princess of Friendship finally located her objective, in front of her was a two-story house, gray walls and windows covered by black curtains, the snow was sliding down the red roof, the mailbox stated that it was the residence of Starlight Glimmer, Twilight approached the dark wooden door, raised her trembling hoof, swallowing hard, two knocks sounded:

Starlight answered the door, with a friendly tone and a smile, but hers was soon undone, noticing the presence of her former mentor, “Good evening... oh, Twilight... what did you come here for?”

“Starlight, hi, it's been a while, right?” Twilight laughed nervously, forcing a smile.

“Yeah, it's been a long time, Twilight…” Starlight said, in a despondent tone.

“How have you been?” Twilight asked, in an attempt to break the ice.

“I'm great... what do you want?” the unicorn said, raising an eyebrow and a cold tone of voice.

Twilight hesitated for a moment, the words seeming to escape her mind. She looked at Starlight, trying to gauge her emotions, but the unicorn's serious expression didn't give much of a clue. Finally, the alicorn took a deep breath and spoke sincerely, “Starlight, I... I just wanted to know how you are. I've been thinking about you a lot lately and I worry… about the way things have turned out between us.”

Starlight remained still for a few moments, then replied, “I'm fine, Twilight. I've been trying to move on with my life, away from everything... away from you.”

Twilight felt hurt when she heard that, but she remained determined, even in pain, “Starlight, I didn't come here to judge you or to tell you how you should live your life. I just… I miss you. You are one of my closest friends, and I feel like I have failed you in some way.”

Starlight raised both her eyebrows, it seemed astonishment, as her voice said, “Did you miss me?”

“Yes... I should have let you go your way without questioning everything, I was more of a teacher and princess than a friend…” Twilight lowered her head, her eyes closed, that was true.

“Starlight lifted Twilight's face with her hoof, saying in a sweet voice, "Why, Twilight, you could have said that sooner!” Twilight saw the smile on Starlight's face, smiling back, then, the socialist changed her expression to a neutral expression, her tone was now cold, “But now it's too late, Twilight, I don't need the others anymore, much less you.”

The atmosphere between the two was filled with tension, even with Starlight's cold statement, Twilight still thought she had hope, that Starlight would change at some point, a metallic sound sounded from inside the house:

“Is there anyone else there?” Twilight questioned, squinting her eyes.

“It's none of your business!” Starlight exclaimed rudely, taking a forceful step forward, making Twilight stumble back.

“Well, well, well... if it isn't the Princess of Friendship herself.” A hoarse male voice came from behind Starlight, from the darkness, a Thracian with brown fur and burgundy mane appeared. Twilight didn't recognize him, but she imagined he wasn't a good pony.

“Who are you?” Twilight stared at him, the bat-pony's eyelids were lowered, a malicious smile was visible, his fangs gave him chills.

“A friend… or maybe something more, depending.” he showed his teeth, increasing the size of his smile, that was Moon Bite.

“Princess.” a third figure appeared, the union leader Iron Hammer, greeting Twilight with contempt, his gaze heavy on Twilight, “I didn't imagine someone from the upper class around here, but I admit it's something... interesting.”

“Starlight, what's going on?” Twilight took a few more steps away, while speaking in an urgent tone, “These ponies... they are dangerous!”

“No, Twilight, they are my new allies, they believe in something greater, something you have never believed in!” the unicorn said, leaving the door, walking around the Princess.

“Starlight, you don't have to do this!” Twilight exclaimed, trying to appeal to the friendship they once shared. “I know you're hurt, but allying yourself with these ponies is not the way!”

“Path? Ah, of course, the right path is always your path, isn't it, Princess?” Starlight countered, stopping in front of Twilight, keeping a cold look, “They believe in what I believe, they believe in justice, equality, without any princess defining what we should do.”

“Starlight, you've been down this path before, and it didn't end well. I'm not going to give up on you, but I need you to see what's going on here.” Twilight said, referring to the village that Starlight enslaved.

“Socialism isn't that... socialism perpetrated throughout Equestria, so get out of our way…” Starlight replied coldly, a deafening silence appeared, Twilight stared at the trio.

“What is Iron Hammer doing here?” Twilight asked, focusing on the union leader.

“He gave me something you never did, Twilight, a chance to lead! No morality classes that kept me chained like you did!” Starlight pointed to Twilight at the end of her speech, Hammer opened a smile, laughing silently.

“Starlight, I won't give up on you. Whatever path you chose, I still believe there is goodness in you. And even if you sided with someone like Iron Hammer, that doesn't erase everything good you've done.” Twilight took a step forward, with a look of determination.

“Maybe your conception of kindness isn't the same as mine, Twilight, maybe one day you'll learn…” Starlight threw a soulless look at Twilight, who took a step back.

A second unicorn appeared behind the group, Spit, different from Hammer and Moon, walked through the door, her blue eyes made it clear that she could be violent, Twilight watched her walk through the yard, the situation was getting more and more tense, until Spit stopped walking, forming a 90° angle between her and the other socialists, in relation to the Princess:

“What does this all mean?” Twilight asked, nervous, but remaining calm under so much pressure, turning her head towards Starlight.

“Nothing, Twilight... we're just here watching you and hearing all this bullshit about me being bad and you being the lady of reason!” Starlight replied, giving a light laugh at the end of the sentence.

A spell had been cast against Twilight, throwing her backwards, breaking the fence that separated Starlight's land from the neighboring house's land, Spit took advantage of Twilight's distraction to attack her, the alicorn stood up, folding her front paws and opening his wings, casting a spell back, Spit dodged, casting the same spell as before, this time Twilight took flight, making the unicorn miss, without the Princess knowing, Dark Cuddle recorded the battle on her cell phone, hidden in the shadows, on the side of the house, on the side Spit Splinter was on.

Twilight launched another spell, in the direction of the attacker, who used a magical shield, which diverted the direction of the spell to the skies, the alicorn landed, launching the same spell in the direction of the opponent, Starlight was not the only unicorn with experience in magic, “Enough kidding... let's play seriously now!” the socialist said, dragging her paw twice and snorting through her nose, like a bull, thus running towards Twilght.

Twilight teleported to the opposite direction that Spit was, Spit cast another spell, this one was more powerful, a fireball, Twilight used a spell so that the fireball was returned, Starlight, Hammer and Moon just watched the show, Spit looked at Starlight, who nodded, a mischievous smile plastered on her face, the lilac unicorn knew exactly what to do.

With his eyes closed and his horn shining, traces of the use of dark magic were stamped on his face, something Twilight had seen before in King Sombra, who was full of hatred and evil. The Princess prepared to react, Spit attacked with lightning, Twilight narrowly dodged, casting a stronger spell, Spit ran to the back of the house, Twilight followed her, Dark Cuddle did the same, with her cell phone, Twilight's spell it was so powerful that it left scorch marks on the grass in the front yard.

“I don't want to fight you, I didn't come for that!” Twilight said, landing on the ground.

“And who asked you?” the ground beneath the Princess began to shake, forcing her to teleport again to another position, barely missing a black wooden stake piercing her.

“Damn, Spit... it's not for killing!” Dark muttered to herself.

Twilight threw Spit against the wall using her telekinesis, Spit was in some pain, but soon recovered, casting a spell that made some wooden skewers emerge from the ground and were thrown towards Twilight. Twilight formed a magical shield, breaking the stakes, when undoing the shield, she found Spit running towards her with another wooden stake, the alicorn forced a kinetic field that threw Spit hard against the wall, this time the impact was bigger, Spit groaned, the traces of dark magic disappeared, his horn stopped shining, his eyes remained closed, his expression was one of pain.

Starlight teleported to the back, kneeling next to Spit, “Spit… what happened?”

“Help me…” Spit moaned, curled up, holding back tears.

“Is it over yet, Twilight?” Starlight stood up abruptly, turning to Twilight, with an angry expression.

“She was the one who attacked me!” Twilight exclaimed, concluding, “So that was your plan? Kill me? And then?”

“I hope you're satisfied, Twilight... and never come back!” Starlight shouted, kneeling down again, Hammer and Moon went to the back to see Spit, Dark appeared soon after, Twilight was horrified, but she still had faith in Starlight, faith that one day she would be the good Starlight again.

*** *** ***

“And Skylar is back, guys, the previously kidnapped supervisor is back, the Kingsguard found him south of Fillydelphia, gagged in an abandoned building!” announced a journalist who accompanied Skylar at the hospital, he was injured, thin and dehydrated, so the journalist asked, “So, Skylar, who kidnapped you?”

“I won't say.” Skylar replied, with an expression of terror on her face.

“Okay… can you tell us where you were all this time?” the journalist pointed the microphone at the supervisor.

“It was some kind of… basement, I don't know, I was blindfolded when they transported me.” Skylar replied, her voice was shaky.

Spike turned off the television as soon as he heard the castle doors creak, running to the entrance, going to Twilight, “So Twilight, how was it there? Has she forgiven you? Did you understand each other?”

Twilight stopped and looked at the dragon, with a sad expression, then walked back with her head down.

“Wait a minute... wasn't she home?” Spike suggested, Twilight looked at him again, and kept walking, “What's up, Twilight? You can talk to me, tell me what happened!”

“She... she doesn't want to talk…” Twilight replied, entering Starlight's old room, which still had her bed, but none of her belongings.

“How so? What did she say? What happened?” Spike ran into the room, seeing Twilight face to face in the mirror there.

Twilight turned her head towards Spike, tears streaming down her face, in a shaky voice she said, “Everything went wrong, Spike. Now she has “allies” who think the same way as her, Iron Hammer was there!”

“Oh no…” Spike said, shrugging his shoulders.

“I hope she thinks about all this and everything goes back to how it was before…” Twilight said, sitting down, Spike hugged her, trying to calm her down, “Could it be that... am I fooling myself with false hope?”

“Of course not, Twilight, she'll come back one time or another, trust me!” Spike replied, letting go, with a smile on his face.

Twilight smiled back, “You're right, Spike, she'll realize she's going down a bad path and turn back before it's too late.”

“That's it!” Spike exclaimed, “Oh, I forgot to mention, they found that missing factory supervisor!”

“That is great!” Twilight said, the two left Starlight's old room, heading towards the library.