Starburst in Wonderland

Starburst flew over the forest seeing nothing but miles and miles of trees. She then let out a frustrated grunt and descended upon the forest floor. She stomped down the forest path wearing a deep frown. “Mom doesn’t drink,” the young princess thought out loud. “So how the hay did she come up with such a sadistic way to teach me some lesson?” Unbeknownst to Starburst she made her way into a deep section of the forest yet she did not seem to care. “What did Mom tell you about trying to straighten me out, Mr. Discord?” Starburst called out. “She said leave the parenting to her!” Starburst’s last sentence echoed throughout the dark forest. Fear took hold of the young princess as she took in her surroundings. As scary as The Everfree Forest was, Starburst found this particular forest more horrifying that the Everfree. Her pace got slower and her eyes darted in all directions. “Did Dad come up with this idea to punish me?” Starburst thought out loud. Starburst then shook her head. “No way,” she said with a smile. “Me and Dad are tight. Mom’s the one always trying to set me straight in some really weird way.” Suddenly Starburst heard rustling in the bushes behind her. The young princess turned sharply to the direction of the sounds but found nothing but heavy vegetation. Keeping her eyes fixed on the area she continued to trot slowly through the forest. A feeling of sadness slowly began to wash over Starburst as she was suddenly reminded of that one time when her father Flash Sentry was really crossed with her. “Is this all because of that time I took your sword without asking and I broke it trying to take care of some prisoners at Tartarus, Dad?” she called out. “I’m sorry! I was only training!”

Starburst took another pathway which seemed to lead her in an even darker part of the forest where she heard all sorts of forest animals. Starburst considered herself a tough pony but her present environment slowly drained whatever bravery she had left. She trembled with every step she took all the while being hit with unpleasant memories. She began to think about the time when her brother Nightlight was watching her dance in her room. She got so mad that she shoved him hard out of her room which made Nightlight slam against the wall in the hallway. There was also that time when she did not share her pie with a few of her friends. Though she would not admit it, Starburst felt really bad telling Princess Twilight that Mrs. Zecora was nothing but a weird old zebra, something Princess Twilight had no qualms of relaying to the friendly zebra magician who lived in the Everfree. The one memory that seemed to sting the most was when Starburst accused Princess Twilight of loving Anthea more because Starburst was jealous of all the private magic lessons Princess Twilight was giving to Anthea. “Why don’t I ever think before I talk?” said Starburst through sniffles. She then exhaled deeply. “No, Starburst!” she then said sternly. “No time for crying!” After a few moments of trotting Starburst could feel the pain welling up inside her. “Why did I have to follow that rabbit down that darn hole?” she said sadly. “That’s the problem with me. I always jump into things without thinking first.”

Starburst arrived in a small clearing where she found a log. She sat on the log and began to ponder on all the things in her past that got the disapproval of those around her. “Those lessons you teach me aren’t lame like I said, Mom,” said Starburst looking around. “I know you teach me those things because they might be useful for me if I wanna get into the Royal Guard. I should be more appreciative of those lessons. Between your duties as The Princess of Friendship and those magic lessons you teach Annie, that’s one of the few times you ever spend with me. I didn’t mean to ditch you when you took that whole day off last month so we could spend the day together. You were willing to put aside the affairs of Equestria just for me for one entire day and I blew it!” The more the young princess thought about her situation with her mother the angrier she became with herself. It was an anger that led to even more sadness. She felt tears flowing down her cheeks and by reflex she wiped them away only for more tears to flow. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Auntie Cadence, Flurry, you all tell me that I shouldn’t be too hard on Mom because out of all the Princesses of Equestria she’s the one that probably takes her responsibilities the most serious,” continued Starburst as she tried in vain to stop the tears from flowing. “And all I did was threw it back in your faces. Mrs. Applejack and all the other members of Mom’s Friendship Council tell me the same thing, even you Mr. Discord. But stupid me just won’t listen!” After a while Starburst stopped trying to wipe away the tears and allowed them to freely flow down her cheeks. “How could I take orders in the Royal Guard if I won’t even listen to my family and friends?” she said through sniffles. “I’m such a crummy friend and a crummy niece and daughter.” Starburst trembled with grief as she sobbed uncontrollably. “Maybe I should stay in this place,” she said between sobs. “Equestria deserves a better princess.” Starburst then buried her face into her front hooves letting out all of her pent up emotions on that log.

As the little pegasus sobbed on the log, suddenly there was the sound of squealing that echoed in the dark forest. Starburst stopped sobbing and perked up when she heard the squeals approaching closer and closer. They were familiar sounding squeals. Starburst quickly wiped away her tears and looked towards the sound of the squeals. She screwed her eyes and could see movement within the area. Almost in a blur a familiar looking white piglet with brown spots and a mop of red hair ran past her. Starburst was instantly reminded of the fact that she was supposed to be looking for Baby Api Apple who apparently turned into a pig. Starburst hovered off the ground to chase after Api/Piglet when another figure moved past her. It was large with green wings and its entire body was covered with white armor. The figure also was wearing a giant looking helmet that covered its entire face. Soon it began to sink in that this large figure was actually chasing after the defenseless piglet. A feeling of outrage took hold of Starburst and she flew after the large figure. “Hey, stop you!” yelled Starburst. The large figure seemingly paid no attention to Starburst and continued to chase after the piglet. Starburst quickened her pace and caught up with the large figure dressed in white armor. She stopped right in front of the large figure halting its advance. “STOP!” screamed Starburst spreading her hooves and massive wings in front of the figure. “Why are you chasing that piglet? She’s small and defenseless!”

“I’m just trying to slay the dragon,” said the figure in a young masculine voice. “That’s what a knight’s supposed to do.” Starburst eyes blinked rapidly when she recognized the figure’s voice. The figure then landed on the ground and took off its helmet. To Starburst’s surprise the figure was revealed to be Turquoise another one of her friends. Turquoise Blitz or “T” as he was called by friends, was the son of Spike the Dragon, Starburst’s godfather and Rarity, a member of Princess Twilight’s Friendship Council. Turquoise was half pony, half dragon due to his father being a dragon and his mother being a unicorn pony. Turquoise was also the second pony/dragon hybrid born in Equestria after his older sister Claire. Where Claire inherited her mother’s unicorn abilities, Turquoise inherited his father’s wings. Turquoise also surpassed his older sister in height. To everyone who knew Turquoise, the young pony/dragon hybrid was an absolute gentlecolt never once raising his voice or getting into physical altercations with anyone the way most dragons seemed to. However, the only time Turquoise got aggressive was whenever he was hungry. Turquoise was also the coltfriend of Anthea, both sharing a bond that seemed unbreakable. “Turquoise?” said a confused Starburst.

“Excuse me?” said an equally confused Turquoise.

“Never mind,” said Starburst shaking her head. “Who are you and why you were chasing that piglet?”

“I’m the White Knight,” said Turquoise/White Knight proudly spreading his wings. “And I’m off to slay that dragon.”

“That’s not a dragon,” said Starburst pointing in the direction where Api/Piglet ran off to. “She’s just a little piglet. And besides, aren’t you a dragon?”

“You’re probably new around here, little filly,” replied Turquoise/White Knight. “But I’m The Queen of Heart’s most elite guard and it’s my duty to defend her kingdom against dragons and all kinds of enemies.”

“The Queen of Hearts?” said Starburst widening her eyes. “You mean you know this queen personally?”

“Yeah,” answered Turquoise/White Knight enthusiastically. “Say, are you a princess who needs rescuing?”

“Well…I am a princess,” said Starburst reluctantly. “But I don’t need rescuing.”

“Oh, darn!” said a frustrated Turquoise/White Knight stomping his hoof in the ground. “Well, I guess I should be off to slay dragons and defend the kingdom from all enemies foreign and domestic.” Turquoise/White Knight spread his wings getting ready to take off. Before he could do that, however, Starburst flew up to meet him at eye level. “No, wait!” she said desperately. “I mean, I do need rescuing. I’m trying to find my way out of this forest.”

“That’s great!” said an excited Turquoise/White Knight. “Just follow me.”

“You mean you’ll help me?” asked a confused Starburst. “Really?”

“Sure I would,” said Turquoise/White Knight. “It’s also my duty as The White Knight to help all those in distress.”

“Oh, thank you so much,” said Starburst with a grateful smile. “This means a lot!”

“Don’t mention it,” said Turquoise/White Knight with a friendly smile. With those words Turquoise/White Knight trotted down a dark path in the forest. Starburst stayed behind with nervousness etched on her face. She then swallowed hard and followed after Turquoise/White Knight.

Starburst stuck close to Turquoise/White Knight as they both trotted deeper and deeper into the dark forest. Starburst’s eyes darted all over as the sounds of forest creatures reverberated throughout the area. Cold sweat ran down Starburst’s face as she shadowed Turquoise/White Knight’s movements. The young princess glanced over to Turquoise/White Knight and saw that he still had the same happy, hyper-enthusiastic smile on his face. As much as he reminded Starburst a lot of the Turquoise Blitz she knew, she had this nagging feeling in the back of her mind that Turquoise/White Knight would steer her wrong like so many of the occupants of this now strange new world. “You know, where I come from we have to deal with a lot of dangerous threats,” said Starburst breaking the silence. “What’s the worst that you have to put up with?”

“Lots of things,” replied Turquoise/White Knight. “The worst we ever came across is the Jabberwocky.”

“Who the hay is the Jabberwocky?” said Starburst giving Turquoise/White Knight a confused look.

“He’s this ugly looking dragon who comes around trying to challenge us to a fight every three years,” explained Turquoise/White Knight. “No one really has the courage to fight him so we give him half of our gold just to leave us alone.”

“Well, aren’t you the most elite guard?” asked Starburst. “Why don’t you fight him?”

“I do,” insisted Turquoise/White Knight. “Whenever he gets too close I use this.” Turquoise/White Knight stopped and pressed a button on his gauntlet. A large powderpuff connected to a type of lever came out from his bulky armor and gently patted Starburst on her nose. Starburst spitted out a few furs that got on her tongue as the powderpuff extended back into Turquoise/White Knight’s armor. “One time the Jabberwocky got really berserk,” Turquoise/White Knight continued “so I used my secret weapon.” He tapped the button on his gauntlet again and a flag popped up from behind his back. The flag read “I GIVE UP”. “You mean you just surrender?” said an incredulous Starburst.

“Now, how did my secret get out?” said Turquoise/White Knight with a scowl.

“No wonder this Jabberwocky keeps taking all of your gold,” said Starburst scornfully. “You won’t even fight him.”

“I know,” said Turquoise/White Knight sadly. “The only reason The Queen of Hearts made me her elite guard was because of a compromise we made.”

“A compromise?” said Starburst tilting her head.

“You see, I’m her little brother,” explained Turquoise/White Knight. “I was my parents’ favorite because I was always taller than my sister which made her jealous. My parents actually made me first in line to the throne because they thought my kindness and level-headed nature would make me a great king. My sister was outraged because since she was the oldest she had a right to be first in line to the throne. After a long discussion we eventually agreed that she would be queen while I get no royal title.”

“That’s horrible!” said Starburst sympathetically. “You’re a prince so you have a title too.”

“The Queen of Hearts thought me being a prince would threaten her rule,” explained Turquoise/White Knight. “When the Jabberwocky started appearing she made me her White Knight just like that. The powderpuff and my secret weapon was all her idea.”

“Well, if you don’t wanna be a Knight why don’t you resign or something?”

“I’m one of the few members of the kingdom who could keep her in check. If you step out of line with her, off goes your head. None of the subjects have the courage to stand up to The Queen of Hearts and they look up to me to be their mouthpiece. I feel like I owe it to them, you know.”

“Oh, sorry,” said Starburst sadly. She then leaned up against a tree and started to bang her head slightly. “Why do I always have to be such a jerk?” she said with knock of her head.

“Is something wrong?” asked Turquoise/White Knight out of concern.

“I didn’t mean to imply that you’re weak,” said Starburst turning to him. “I always have this habit of putting my hoof in my mouth. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty small for my age. Everyone sees me and they assume that I’m helpless and weak and they go the extra mile trying to cuddle me. I always feel I have to prove that I’m not helpless but in the process I always say and do the wrong things at the wrong time. My mom always tries to give me good advice but half of the time I don’t listen to her.”

Starburst took a seat on a large rock and let out a huff. Turquoise/White Knight trotted over her and sat right next her. “You know, if creatures wanna help you, you shouldn’t feel like they’re patronizing you,” he said.

“I know,” Starburst said with a sigh. “I can’t seem to help it. I’m trying to get into the Royal Guard but I often pass out whenever I train too hard. My parents and all of her friends tell me that I shouldn’t train for the Guard because I’m small. My mom flat-out said the fact that I pass out simply working out is a good enough reason why I shouldn’t be a Royal Guard.”

“You know your mom only says that to protect you, right?” said Turquoise/White Knight.

“I guess,” said Starburst shrugging her shoulders.

“If you wanna be in the Royal Guard you’ll have to work with your fellow guards,” Turquoise/White Knight continued. “Protecting a kingdom is a team effort. Something you can’t do on your own. There’s no shame if someone wants to have your back.”

“Yeah, you’re absolutely right,” said Starburst nodding your head. “What about you? You can’t be an effective knight if you don’t have the right weapons.”

“The Queen of Hearts won’t give me the weapons I need,” said Turquoise/White Knight sadly. “She finds some sick enjoyment seeing me fall flat on my face whenever the Kingdom faces a threat.”

“Then it’s time you start growing a backbone,” said Starburst furrowing her eyebrows. “Tell her if she doesn’t give you the right weapons, then you and the rest of the guards will step down. Try forming some sort of alliance with a few guards who are just as sick as you of the Queen’s crap because there’s power in numbers like you said.”

“You don’t think we tried that before?” said Turquoise/White Knight with a scowl. “The Queen of Hearts ordered our executions the last time we stood up to her. The only reason we didn’t lose our heads is because The King of Hearts pardoned us behind her back.”

Starburst jumped slightly at Turquoise/White Knight’s last sentence. “There’s a King of Hearts?” said the princess with wide eyes.

“Of course,” said Turquoise/White Knight. “Behind every queen there’s her husband, the King. The King of Hearts is a saint compared to the Queen. Most of the times whenever The Queen of Hearts orders policies that most of the Kingdom might suffer from, The King of Hearts discreetly order those policies null and void.”

Starburst began to ponder on Turquoise/White Knight’s words. She thought her best chance of getting out of that crazy world would not be through the Queen of Hearts but through her husband. “Tell you what,” Starburst began. “When you get back to the Kingdom, see how many guards who you can form alliance with because if you ask me, The King of Hearts would be a better ruler than this Queen of Hearts.”

“We should overthrow the Queen?” said Turquoise/White Knight with an expression of shock.

“Hey, far be it from me to tell anyone to commit treason,” said Starburst assuredly. “But as long as the Queen of Hearts is on the throne you all will never have a chance against the Jabberwocky.

“Yeah,” said Turquoise/White Knight nodding his head. “You’re right.” He then stood up from the rock, puffed out his chest and spread his mighty wings. “The Jabberwocky has pushed us around too long, Your Majesty,” Turquoise/White Knight said to no one in particular. “Give us the means we need to do our job or kiss the throne goodbye!”

“Yeah!” said Starburst pumping her hoof. “But make sure you throw her in the dungeon or banish her because if you execute her you’re no better than she is.”

“Got it,” said Turquoise/White Knight with a smile. “And remember, don’t feel like you’re being patronized because everyone around you tries to help you. Everyone needs friends, parents, relatives or even teachers in their lives because one pony can’t do everything on their own.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Starburst giving a broad smile.

“Since you gave me such good advice,” began Turquoise/White Knight “I think it’s only fair that I tell you how to find your way back home.”

“You’d do that for me?” said Starburst enthusiastically.

“Of course,” assured Turquoise/White Knight. “I am The White Knight after all.”

“So, where do I go?”

“There’s a tree with pink flowers. In the tree’s trunk there’s a door. Open the door and you’ll find your way back.”

With those words Turquoise/White Knight put on back his helmet and spread his massive wings. “Hope you find your way back home, little filly,” he said with his voice slightly muffled by his helmet. “I’m off to form an alliance against the Queen.” Starburst opened her mouth to ask a question. But before she had a chance Turquoise/White Knight flew off into the forest at high speed. “Hey, wait!” Starburst called out trying to fly after him. “Where do I find this tree?” Starburst flew all throughout the forest but she found no sign of Turquoise/White Knight. The young princess then landed on the forest floor and let out a sad sigh. “He gave me a hint,” Starburst thought out loud. “Now I have to follow through on his advice.” Starburst began trotting slowly through the forest looking for any sign of the tree with flowers. After what seemed like thirty minutes Starburst’s eyes fell upon a tree in a small clearing. She flew over to the tree and looked at the tree up and down. She saw that the tree had pink flowers like Turquoise/White Knight said. “If these flowers talk, I’m gonna freak out,” Starburst thought out loud. She examined the tree further and sure enough she discovered that it had a door. She twisted against the doorknob and much to her relief it was not locked. She then cracked the door open and slowly walked in closing the door behind her.