//------------------------------// // A Star in the Night Sky // Story: The Story of Skydancer // by Prawject Express //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash began to get worried. It’s been a several days since their conversation and Fluttershy hasn’t been seen out of her house. She hasn’t been locked up in her house for this long since she got those confidence lessons from Iron Will. Rainbow tried her best to think of a way to convince Fluttershy to attend the funeral but she’s got nothing. She then thought the best way to help her friend would be to get help from her other friends. Without wasting a moment, she flew over to the Library and knocked on the door. “Its open!” called a voice from inside the tree. Rainbow opened the door and found her purple unicorn friend Twilight Sparkle rearranging some books on the shelves. Twilight turned to see her friend come in and close the door. “What do I keep telling you Rainbow? This is a LIBRARY. You don’t have to keep knocking.” Twilight stated with an annoyed expression. “Oh, heh, sorry.” Rainbow replied, “Well, I really need your help with something.” “Sorry Rainbow, but I am kind of busy right now. Spike is in Canterlot with the Princess so I have to finish re-shelving the Conjugation Spell reference books without him. Then, I have to go over to the school and bring over some Ponyville history books for the kids, then-“ “It’s about Fluttershy.” Rainbow interrupted. “I was wondering if I could get the others to meet here tonight. It’s very urgent.” “Hmm. let me check my schedule……….ok I’ll squeeze this in between my quantum magic research time and sleep.” Twilight said. Rainbow rolled her eyes and went out to spread the word to her other friends. . . . That night, Rainbow stood outside the library and waited for her friends to show up. Eventually, she saw an orange and a white mare walking towards the library. The orange one had a brown cowboy hat that sat on top a yellow mane. The other had a purple mane that hung over her white unicorn horn. “Hey Applejack! Hey Rarity! Thanks for coming.” Rainbow announced. “No problem Rainbow!” Applejack replied,”T’wasn’t like Ah was gonna say no to a Fluttershy problem!” “Poor Fluttershy!” Rarity said, “What in the name of Opal has gotten into her?” The three of them walked inside the library and closed the door. They all looked at Rainbow Dash as she began to speak. “So here’s the situation…wait, where’s Pinkie Pie?” Suddenly the door burst open and confetti filled the air of the library. A bubblegum pink mare with a curly pink mane cartwheeled through the door. “SURPRISE!! CONNNGRAAAATULATIONS FLUTTERSHY!!!” The pink mare shouted at the top of her lungs. Before she could start her celebration with a song, she looked around and asked, “Where’s Fluttershy? How can she miss her own party?!!” “Pinkie Pie, this isn’t a party FOR Fluttershy, this is a meeting ABOUT Fluttershy.” Rainbow emphasized. “AWWWWW! Can we still have a party FOR her anyway? I got decorations and streamers and-OH!- the Cakes have baked a special-“ “PINKIE!” Rainbow screamed. “Well, if this isn’t a party then what IS it Dashie?” Rainbow took in a deep breath and started her announcement. “Something is terribly wrong with Fluttershy in case you haven’t noticed.” “Yeah, Ah haven’t seen the feller for days! What in tarnation is wrong with her?” Applejack asked. Rainbow then explained the story Fluttershy told her a few days ago. She made sure to mention the promise Fluttershy gave to her sister. “That is HORRIBLE!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Yes Pinkie,” Twilight added, “I never knew Fluttershy had such abusive relationship with her family.” “No I mean, Dashie had a sleepover at Fluttershy’s house and she didn’t invite ME?!!!!” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and continued the discussion. “So what I am asking you all to do, is to help me convince Fluttershy that she needs to go to the funeral and face her family. That’s the only way she can put her past behind her.” Rainbow stated. “I agree,” Twilight added, “If she doesn’t do this, then who knows how long her past will haunt her.” “Oh, you mean like a ghost? Who knew that Fluttershy’s family problem would be so spooky!” Pinkie stated. “Pinkie! This is serious!” Dash stated. “Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie replied. “Maybe we should all just talk to her.” Rarity said, “Do something nice for her to convince her that she has our support.” “Okay,” Dash replied, “But what should we do?” The four of them looked at Applejack and noticed that she had been completely silent during the whole story. “Applejack? Is something wrong?” Rarity asked. Applejack said nothing. “Applejack, are you alright?” Twilight asked. Suddenly, Applejack flinched and quickly looked at them all, “Uh…Ahm fine.” “Are you sure? It looks like you’re sweating,” Pinkie stated. “When Ah say ahm fine, Ah mean it!” Applejack snapped, “Oh, would you look at the time. Ah gotta get back home. Ah….think Granny Smith needs me.” “But..you just got here,” Rarity said, “ Applejack, what’s wrong?” No answer was given as the four mares saw Applejack run outside. The front door slammed behind them. The ponies turned to Rainbow. “Don’t look at me. I have no idea what just happened,” Dash replied. “Well, it’s obvious that she knows something!” Pinkie stated, ”She sure was acting reeeeeeeally kooky.” Twilight walked over to the front door and opened it. “I’m going to go find her,” She told the others as she left, “When I find out just what’s going on, I’ll let you all know. In the meantime think of a plan to help Fluttershy.” The other ponies nodded in agreement. “Hopefully she’ll come back with answers. I can’t think of anything!” Rarity stated. . . . “The only place she’ll be is back at home,” Twilight said to herself as she approached the apple tress at Sweet Apple Acres. Once she ran past the trees, she caught sight of a big red barn on the hill. She ran up to the barn and knocked on the door. The door opened to reveal a tired yellow filly with a bow on top her red mane. “Hello Apple Bloom,” Twilight said, “I really need to see Applejack for something. Is she here?” “Yeah. Uhhh….Ah think. She must be in her room. You can go check if you want.” “Thanks,” Twilight said as she walked past the door and up the stairs. She walked across the hall to see that the door to Applejack’s room was opened slightly. Twilight slowly walked over and knocked. “Applejack? Are you in there?” Twilight waited for a response but nothing came. Eventually she creaked open the door to see that Applejack wasn’t there. Instead she saw an empty envelope sitting on her bed. Twilight walked over to it and was surprised by what she saw. An idea immediately popped in her head. She exited the barn and ran back to the library to tell the others. . . . The next day, Fluttershy was in her house preparing dinner. “No Angel, for the last time, I can’t keep feeding you fruits all the time. Now please eat your carrot salad.” Fluttershy pleaded. Angel looks down at the bowl of assorted carrots and lettuce leaves. Fluttershy made sure to put the cherry on top so Angel would actually eat it. Instead he kicked the bowl. Lettuce and carrots spread all over the floor. “I’m sorry Angel but that’s all the food you’re getting.” Angel furiously hopped upstairs. Fluttershy sighed as she walked over to clean up the mess on the floor. When she finished, she went back into the kitchen to check on her dinner. ‘Knock Knock’ “Who could that be?” She asked herself. She halted her preparation, gently floated to the door and opened it. She couldn’t believe what she saw. “Sky…………..Is that you?” Fluttershy’s eyes widened to the point where it hurt. She was stunned. Nothing came from her mouth except a small squeak. There, standing before her, was a pegasus pony with the same yellow coat as hers. She had a short brisk black mane that looks an awful lot like Rainbow Dash’s. Fluttershy couldn’t tell completely, but she seemed to have a gash right above her cutie mark. “Sky!!!! Its me, Starlight!!!” At that very moment Starlight jumped forward and gave Fluttershy a hug so tight, that her sister could feel her hooves start to tingle. When Starlight released the embrace, Fluttershy backed away and hid her face behind her mane. Her eyes started to get wet. “What’s wrong Sky? Aren’t you happy to see me again? It’s been so long.” Starlight asked with concern. “……………………………………..I’m sorry Star.” Fluttershy quietly said as tears started to drip down her cheek. “Sorry? For what Sky?” “I……..I failed you Star,” Fluttershy squeaked, “ I broke our promise. I abandoned you. I’m sorry.” She hung her head to the ground as tears dripped to the floor. She then felt a hoof place itself on her shoulder. “Don’t be. It was so long ago. If we were still going by what we said when we were kids, then I should be the one whose sorry.” Starlight told her. Fluttershy slowly looked up to see her sister’s concerned face. “I broke the promise even before you did. The day after you left for Flight Camp, I socked Dad in the face and ran away. He got into one of his drunken rages and I couldn’t take anymore ridicule. Mom didn’t help at all, so I just ran. I jumped on a pile of cargo that was leaving the city and ended up in Manehattan. I read in the newspaper about your fall at Camp and I was afraid that I would never see you again. It took me years to find out that you survived the fall and were living a successful life in Ponyville. You have no idea how happy I was when I found out you were alive.” Starlight explained. “How….How did you know I was still alive?” Fluttershy asked the tears drying on her face. “Oh come on Sky! You’re famous all throughout Equestria! You’re the Element of Kindness! Everyone has heard about you and your friends saving Equestria from foes such as Nightmare Moon and Discord. Not to mention you being the famous fashion model promoting outfits for Photo Finish. I have no idea why you kept the silly name that Dad used to call you, but to me, you will always be my Sky.” Starlight slowly drooped her head. “I’m sorry for not keeping in touch for all these years. I….had the same concern you had. I was afraid you were mad at me for leaving you. But now, I am so happy that I get to see my Sky again!” Starlight lifted her head off the ground to see her sister with a huge smile on her face. Without warning Fluttershy leaped over to Starlight and gave her a tighter hug than she got from her sister. “I missed you Star. More than you can even imagine.” Fluttershy said. “I missed you too sis. More than YOU can even imagine.” Starlight said. They both laughed. “I don’t get it,” said Fluttershy, “What made you come to Ponyville to see me?” “I got a letter from your friend, Rainbow Dash, saying that you needed my help with something. She said it was urgent so that’s why I’m here.” “But how did she even send the letter to you? I don’t even know where you live.” “Beats me. She probably looked it up somewhere.” “Well whatever,” Fluttershy said, “I’m just so glad I get to see you again and that you’re not mad at me.” “How can I EVER be mad at you Sky?” Starlight asked with a laugh. “Sheesh Sky, you have a nice place,” Starlight said as she walked past Fluttershy into the living room. “This is a whole lot nicer than my tiny apartment in Spells Kitchen.” “My animal friends helped me build it when I first moved to Ponyville.” “Animal friends?” “Yes, my special talent is connecting with animals. I actually run a pet hospital here. Whenever someone’s pet is sick or lonely, Dr. Fluttershy is the answer.” Fluttershy laughed as she said, “That’s kind of my slogan.” Starlight laughed as well. “Wow Sky. You haven’t changed a bit! You are the same old Sky that I remembered, only happier.” “I wish I could say the same thing as you. I didn’t even recognize you at first. Your mane is way shorter than I remember and how did you get that scar on you flank?” Fluttershy asked. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it later,” Starlight stated, "Are you cooking something? It smells amazing.” “Oh, it’s nothing. Before you came, I was cooking some hay and tomato soup. Would you like some?” “Sure! If you don’t mind.” Fluttershy then flew back to the kitchen and opened the boiling pot on the stove. Mist seeped into the air filling the room with the sweet scent of hay mixed with the tang of the tomato. Starlight just got herself situated on Fluttershy’s couch as the scent of the soup reached her nostrils. At that moment, Fluttershy floated out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup in each hoof. She gave one bowl to Starlight as she took a seat next to her on the couch. After they both finished their bowls they spent hours chatting and catching up with each other’s lives. “So you work at a bar?” Fluttershy asked. “Yep. The family that adopted me when I ran away owned a bar near my apartment so I helped in the family business.” “So do you like your new family?” “Yeah totally. My new parents taught me all the tricks about bartending. I can pretty much mix anything up and make it taste good.” “Sounds like you had a really nice life Star.” Starlight looked at the ground silent. Her smile started to fade as she quietly said, ”Yeah…………nice” “Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked concerned. Suddenly Starlight quickly looked up with a smile on her face and studdered, “Nope! Not at all.” Fluttershy was confused. “So Sky, what is this all about?” Starlight asked. Fluttershy was puzzled. “What’s what all about?” She asked. “Rainbow Dash told me you needed to see me about something.” Fluttershy then suddenly knew the exact reason why Rainbow brought Starlight here. She took a deep breath. “Did you get a letter from Mom?” “No I haven’t. What’s this about Sky?” After a pause, Fluttershy picked up the letter and held it out to Starlight. She noticed that Starlight hesitated as she held the letter in her hoof for her to grab. “Are you ok Star? You seem nervous.” Fluttershy asked. Starlight waved a hoof and said, “Nervous? Why would I be nervous in front of my sister?” Starlight finally took the letter from her sister and started reading. Dear Skydancer, I know it’s been a while since we talked, but I am writing to you because of a terrible tragedy. Your father, Lunarshine has passed away. The Funeral is going to be held at Sweet Passings Funeral Home in a week from today. I know you might have second thoughts about this, but please come and morn your father. I understand he has been kind of difficult to you and your sister during your childhood, but deep down, he loved you just as much as I still do. Please attend. If not for him, do it for me. As of today, I have had two deaths in the family. But I feel like I have two more. Love, Mom Starlight finished reading but continued to stare down at the letter. “……………I don’t know if I can go,” Fluttershy said. “Why should we?” Starlight asked, “I-I don’t care about anything that happened to Dad. After the way he abused us, there’s no way I’m going to morn his death. I’ve tried my best to block out the horribleness of the past and I have lived a better life than I have before. There’s no point in going back.” “……….well…….if you say so Star” “Sky, you remember all the times dad used to scold you for not passing your flying lessons? Do you really think that someone like that deserves our forgiveness?” “I guess not,” “I really, REALLY don’t think we should go. You understand right?” “I guess so…” They both sat in silence for a moment. Maybe Starlight was right. Maybe she shouldn’t go to the funeral after all she’s been through. She then saw Starlight make a small sigh. What was that about? Why is she so nervous? Fluttershy decided changed the subject. “I’m glad you came Star. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.” “Same here Sky.” “So, how long are you going to say?” “I was planning on heading back sometime tomorrow.” “Do you need a place to stay? You are always welcome to stay with me,” Fluttershy said and smiled. “I actually booked a room at the Inn next to the bakery. But thanks anyway.” Fluttershy felt disappointed but she smiled at the fact that her sister seemed happy. “Well, it’s getting kind of late. I should probably head back to the Inn.” Starlight said as she got up from the couch, “How do you get there from here? This place is kind of new to me.” “Why don’t I walk there with you?” Fluttershy asked, “It can get kind of confusing to find your way around Ponyville at night. “Sounds good to me,” Starlight stated. So the two of them passed through the living room and out the front door of the cottage. They walked up the path and over the bridge in the direction of Ponyville. As they were walking, Fluttershy looked up into the night sky and saw the stars twinkling. Those twinkling lights seemed so far away before but tonight, she felt like one of them was walking with her. They walked past Town Square and ended up at Sugar Cube Corner. “Well here we are. The Inn is that building over there,” Fluttershy stated as she pointed her hoof at the building to the right of Sugar Cube Corner. “Thanks for taking me here Sky. You want to get breakfast in the morning?” “Oh yes! How ‘bout I come by here at 10 and we can have breakfast?” “Sounds like a plan” Starlight said. She then gave her long lost sister a hug and waved as she walked into the Inn. Fluttershy then turned around and started heading back to the cottage. She couldn’t really put her hoof on it, but something seemed strange about this whole situation. Why was Starlight so nervous when she gave her the letter? Why did she dramatically refuse to go to the funeral and why didn’t she tell me about how she got that scar on her flank? It almost seemed like she was hiding something……. Out in the distance, she saw a blue figure flying towards her. It was Rainbow Dash.