//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: The Death of Equestria // by Starlight Comet //------------------------------// Three months ago... As Starlight stood between Princesses Celestia and Luna and looked upon the citizens of Equestria, he couldn't help but believe what he was seeing. Ponies were lined up in rows, signing their allegiances to whomever they felt was the right leader. He also saw that all the ponies from each state was signing for one particular ruler each. Celestia: the ponies of Canterlot, the Crystal Empire and Appleossa Luna: the ponies of Cloudsdale, Saddle Arabia, and half the ponies of Ponyville Starlight: half the citizens of Ponyville and the ponies of Manehatten As the began to stand next to their respective rulers, Starlight couldn't help but shook his head. "So this is how democracy ends," he thought, "with everyone picking sides." "Prince Starlight!" The yelling of his advisor, Doctor Whooves, helped Starlight snap back to reality. He looked around and saw that he was in his conference room and was surrounded by his advisors Derpy Hooves, Bon Bon, Vinyl, and Doctor Whooves. "I'm sorry; must have dozed off." Starlight said, "What were we discussing?" Looking rather annoyed at his prince, Doctor Whooves continued. "We were just discussing about how the griffin clan would be willing to take up residence within our nation. What do you think, Starlight?" As he turned, however, he saw the prince had fallen asleep once again. Slyly, Doctor Whooves snuck up close to Starlight's ear and yelled, "PRINCE STARLIGHT!!!!!" Starlight immediately jolted awake and said, "It's okay, the cat's got it with the salad." After hearing a few stifled laughs from his advisors, Starlight rubbed his eyes and said, "Alright everypony, let's wrap it up for today. Everypony should go home." As he watched his advisors leave, Starlight walked out to the balcony and looked down at his nation. Everypony was happy with the government that he had established; they had a say in political matters, but the prince could still enforce laws. Moreover, some ponies arrived from the Solar Empire or the Lunar Republic to switch their allegiance with the Equestrian Nation. However, Starlight was unhappy with his nation. As he looked up at a star that gleamed brightly in the sky, he closed his eyes and began to sing. In the light that falls at moonrise In the rhythm of the rain In the miracle of ordinary days In the hush of night I will be in the whispers of lover Everywhere, you will find me there In the rustle of a curtain In the bustle of the world In a thousand little unexpected ways When you lift your gaze I will be like the shimmer of one small star Out there, shining everywhere I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall So close your eyes, remember my embrace I will be there like mercy, I will find you through it all This do I swear, I will be there Meanwhile, at her castle in the middle of Ponyville, Princess Twilight looked up at the sky from her balcony and saw the exact same star. Touching the heart-shaped locket that was wrapped around her neck, she also began to sing. In a language never spoken Live the promises we've made In the endless love that owned me heart and soul In the certainty I will always be true and as near As my next prayer, you will find me there In the echo of the ocean In the hunting of the wind In mysterious extraordinary ways Through the darkest sky I will be like the shimmer of one small star Out there, shining everywhere I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall So close your eyes, remember my embrace I will be there like freedom; I will find you through it all This do I swear, I will be there In the harbor quarter In the stone and mortar In the star that we both share In the sound of laughter Now and ever after Look for me, I will be there I will be there beside you through the lonely nights that fall So close your eyes Remember my embrace I will be there Remember my embrace We'll be there like justice; I will find you through it all This do I swear, I will be there This do I swear, I will be there This do I swear, I will be there As they looked up at the stars, the two lovers sadly left their balconies and went to their separate beds, each far from the one they loved.